Sami Khedira nodded in a late winner as Germany saw off the spirited challenge of Uruguay in Port Elizabeth to finish in third place for the second World Cup running.The two beaten semi-finalists played out an entertaining game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the penultimate match of the finals.Thomas Mueller became joint-top scorer as he opened the scoring on 18 minutes before Edinson Cavani levelled for Uruguay before the break.The South Americans took the lead for the first time early in the second half through the impressive Diego Forlan but Marcell Jansen equalised for Germany within five minutes.The open encounter seemed destined for extra-time before Stuttgart midfielder Khedira nodded Germany in front again with just eight minutes remaining to seal the bronze prize.The third-place play-off is often billed as a match that no team wants to play – but this encounter made a mockery of any such suggestion.
Uruguay exceeded all expectations in reaching the last four and, with a parade through the streets of Montevideo and a date with President Jose Mujica planned for Monday, they were desperate to finish their campaign on a high.
Germany, meanwhile, are a hugely talented young squad who will be together for some years and viewed the meeting with La Celeste as another stepping stone in their development.Diego Forlan almost took the game into extra-time as his injury-time free-kick struck the Germany crossbar with the last kick of the game in an exciting finale.It was a cruel end to Uruguay’s eventful tournament but they will leave South Africa with an enhanced reputation while the German’s have finished third for the second successive World Cup. Germany 3 Uruguay 2
As the final will be played tomorrow its only fitting I put a team of the Tournament as the Giants of Football haven’t impressed it has a slight different look than expected.
Iker Casillas
Thomas Muller
Philipp Lahm
Thomas Muller
Kevin-Prince Boateng
Mesut Ozil
Carles Puyol
David Villa
Sergio Ramos
Andres Iniesta
Diego Forlan
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Diego Lugano
Alexis Sanchez
Lucio
Arjen Robben
Wesley Sneijder
Manager : Joachim Low
