Germany 2 - Austria 1; Sweden 2 - Kazakhstan 0

Sweden opened their 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign at home in Malmo against visiting Kazakhstan.  The visitors parked the bus from the start of the match, leading to a frustrating night for Sweden, who were never challenged defensively but really had trouble breaching the opponent's goal.  Indeed, it took a horribly missed shot to break the deadlock as the wild shank landed at the foot of Rasmus Elm, who finished an unmarked volley for a 1-0 lead with ten minutes remaining.  Sweden led 1-0 at the half.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearly gave Sweden a second, but his close-range header was tapped away.  A frustrated Sweden starting taking bad fouls, and Kazakhstan knew they only hap to pip one goal for a road point.  They threatened a couple times, but it was Sweden who iced the match in second-half stoppage time when Ibrahimovic cross from the wing along the end line to an onrushing Marcus Berg for the tap-in.  Sweden make a winning debut, 2-0.

Vienna was the site of home side Austria's 2014 FIFA World Cup debut.  Their opponents were Group C favorites Germany.  Austria were the better side, with striker Martin Harnik in particular quite dangerous.  Nevertheless, the first goal was to come against the run of play.  With two minutes left, Marco Reus took three touches, shaking two defenders and then finishing coolly in the bottom corner for a 1-0 Germany lead that would hold up through the half.

It did not take long for Germany to afford themselves another goal-scoring chance. Thomas Muller was fouled inside the box, and Mesut Ozil (pictured, white) finished from the penalty spot for a 2-0 lead.  Austria regained contact five minutes later when Marko Arnautovic shook two defenders to cross into the box where Zlatko Junuzovic beat three defenders and the goalkeeper to the ball for the tap-in.  This was a goal scored on sheer determination alone.  Arnautovic could have provided the equalizer to send his home crowd into a frenzy, but his somehow botched the finish, letting Germany off the hook with a 2-1 win.

Germany 6 pts  +4
Sweden 3 pts +2
Ireland 3 pts +1
Austria 0 pts -1
Kazakhstan 0 pts -3
Faroe Islands 0 pts -3

Goals
Sweden
Rasmus Elm 37
Marcus Berg 90+4

Germany
Marco Reus 44
Mesut Ozil 52 PK

Austria
Zlatko Junuzovic 57

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699805/index.html
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Elm-and-Berg-score-as-Sweden-beats-Kazakhstan-2-0-3857021.php
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699794/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAErMTKGNDs (Sweden v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il6FcsUb0Hc (Germany v. Austria)