Germany, France win World Cup openers

SINSHEIM, Germany -- On a great day for women's soccer, it was a good day for Europe's teams.

The World Cup started Sunday with two stadiums overflowing with goodwill, color and the cheer of nearly 100,000 fans. There were also four goals, including one stunner.

Germany, the two-time defending champion, survived opening-game jitters to beat Canada, 2-1, in Berlin and showed that the hosts will be the team to beat.

France won the opener against Nigeria, 1-0, in Sinsheim to leave the continental neighbors in charge of Group A. The United States begins play in the 16-team tournament Tuesday, facing North Korea in Group C in Dresden.

Beyond the games themselves, the upbeat spirit of the women's game stood out. Riding the spirit of the crowds, the atmosphere approached that of the men's 2006 World Cup -- also in Germany -- even if the action rarely did.

One clear exception came at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Canada's Christine Sinclair, playing with a broken nose for most of the second half, highlighted the day with a stunning, perfectly curled free kick late in the game. That briefly gave Canada hope, but Germany survived on grit.

"The doctors told me her nose was broken, but she asked me to let her play," Canada coach Carolina Morace said. "I asked if it would be dangerous, but Christine is a smart player -- she knows what she can do and what she can't do."

It was the first goal Germany had conceded in the World Cup since 2003.