Third Place Playoff: Germany beat Uruguay 3-2
92nd minute of the game. Uruguay are behind by 3 goals to 2 and their talisman, Forlan has an opportunity to equalize from a free kick right on the edge of the box. The Athletico Madrid striker curls it beautifully beyond the wall, beyond the goal keeper but hits the crossbar and referee blows for full time before ball comes down.
The last seconds of the game encapsulated Uruguay’s journey in this world cup. They needed a Suarez wonder goal against South Korea, a handball & a missed penalty against Ghana, Netherlands beat them by scoring two controversial goals and the crossbar rescued Germany. World Cup has been a story of so close, yet so far for Uruguay. The nation with a population of 3.8 million has won hearts and have been one of the most entertaining teams of the world cup alongside their opponents in the third place playoff, Germany.
Germany maintained their status-quo by winning the bronze medal at the world cup for the second time in a row. The European powerhouse scored 16 goals, demolished pre-tournament favourites England and Argentina by 4-1 & 4-0 respectively and had an off-day against Spain to miss out on the final. Almost the same team will be competing in Brazil 2014 and is surely the team to watch in future.
Klose, who was chasing Ronaldo’s record of 15 world cup goals and Lahm did not start for Germany. This gave fire to the theories that neither team was taking this game seriously. Yellow cards to Aogo and Cacau in the first 10 minutes put those conspiracy theories to rest as game was being played at a high tempo with both teams probing each other for an opening. Germany struck the first blow in the 20th minute. Schweinsteiger, who was captaining the side in absence of Lahm, took a long range shot which was spilled by Muslera and Muller was on hand to tap-in. The goal was eerily similar to the one conceded by Germany in 2002 final. Germany stepped up after the goal but a mistake allowed Uruguay to equalize. Schweinsteiger was dispossessed by Perez in the midfield which resulted in a Uruguay counter attack that was finished by Cavani to bring the scores level. The game continued to be an end-to-end affair. Suarez had a chance to put Uruguay ahead in the 44th minute but dragged his shot just wide. That was the last action of the first half.
Second half was another end to end affair. Arevalo ran on a mistake by the German defence in the 51st minute to pull the ball back for Forlan. The marksman scored off a brilliant, angled volley with his back to the goal to put Uruguay ahead for the first time in the match. Germany answered back in the 56th minute when Muslera missed a Boateng cross and Jansen headed the ball in the empty net. Score 2-2 and another 30 minutes left in the match. The game was being played at a frantic pace but Germany were having the better chances. Substitute Keisling had two chances to score but was denied by Muslera on first occasion and missed his header the second time. Uruguay defence again made a fatal mistake when an Oezil corner in 82nd minute missed everyone and Khedira scored with a simple header to put Germany ahead for the second time in the match. Uruguay tried to fight back but Germany held firm only to concede the 92nd minute free kick. Some would say it was poetic justice that Forlan would hit the bar in the last second after Gyan hit the crossbar in the last second of the Quarter Final against Uruguay. Uruguay lost their second consecutive match by a scoreline of 3-2 and Germany won the bronze medal just as Paul had predicted.
Germany go home with the consolation prize of a bronze medal. Uruguay go home with heads held high for a fantastic world cup where they became the favourite team of neutrals. Now on to the big one: Netherlands take on Spain in the final of FIFA World Cup 2010 tomorrow.