Germany 3 Uruguay 2 - Sami Khedira header earns Germany third place
Sami Khedira(credit:
toksuede)
Germany came from a goal down to seal third place with a 3-2 win over Uruguay in an entertaining World Cup play-off.
Thomas Muller's goal was cancelled out by strikes from Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan, but Marcell Jansen and Sami Khedira both nodded home to ensure Joachim Loew's young side bowed out with a victory.
Veteran Germany striker Miroslav Klose's bid to level Ronaldo's all-time World Cup scoring record was ended by a bout of flu, while Uruguay were boosted by the return of prolific hitman Luis Suarez following a one-match ban.
But it was another one of the tournament's surprising hotshots that opened the scoring, Muller slotting home his fifth goal of the tournament after Fernando Muslera parried Bastian Schweinsteiger's initial effort.
Uruguay responded well and Cavani slotted home the equaliser after Schweinsteiger was caught in possession, and Forlan then put the South Americans ahead with a sweetly-taken volley from the edge of penalty area.
But Germany would not be denied a fitting finish to a fine overall performance in the South Africa.
Uruguay goalkeeper Muslera failed to punch clear a dangerous cross and Marcell Jansen capitalised to head Germany level, and Khedira then nodded home eight minutes from time to complete the comeback.
Forlan almost forced extra time, but the Atletico Madrid star's free-kick, the very last kick of the game, clattered the crossbar.
Germany - Butt, Jansen (Kroos 81), Friedrich, Aogo, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Oezil (Tasci 90), Muller, Mertesacker, Cacau (Kiessling 73), Boateng.
Goals: Muller 19, Jansen 56, Khedira 82
Uruguay - Muslera, Lugano, Godin, Fucile, Cavani (Abreu 88), Suarez, Forlan, Perez (Gargano 77), M Pereira, Arevalo Rios, Caceres.
Goals: Cavani 28, Forlan 51
Bookings: Friedrich, Aogo, Cacau (Germany), Perez (Uruguay)