SOUTH AFRICA 2010

Sunday, July 11, 2010

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) — Sami Khedira scored a late goal yesterday to give Germany a 3-2 victory over Uruguay and third place for the second straight World Cup.

Khedira scored with a header in the 82nd minute for his first international goal after the Uruguay defence failed to clear a corner from Mesut Oezil. The goal ended Uruguay's hopes of beating Germany for the first time in 82 years, while the Germans finished in the top three for the 11th time.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa -- Germany's Marcell Jansen (third left) scores a goal past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (second left) during their World Cup third-place match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday. Germany won 3-2. (Photo: AP) Germany's Marcell Jansen, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal as Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, reacts on the ground, second from right, during the World Cup third-place soccer match between Germany and Uruguay at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Saturday, July 10, 2010. (Photo: AP)

[Hide Description] PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa -- Germany's Marcell Jansen (third left) scores a goal past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (second left) during their World Cup third-place match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday. Germany won 3-2.

"We had hoped for more, and we did everything for it," Khedira said. "This was some kind of final and we did everything for it. We have a young team and set an exclamation mark here and can reach more."

Diego Forlan hit the crossbar with the last kick of the match in injury time, a free kick from the edge of the area. "Obviously it's something spectacular to be among the top four," Forlan said. "If someone would've asked us at the beginning, we would've liked it. It's something positive." Uruguay had come from behind to lead 2-1 when Forlan volleyed in Egidio Arevalo's 51st-minute cross for his fifth goal of the tournament. Germany defender Marcell Jansen levelled five minutes later with a header after goalkeeper Fernanando Muslera misjudged a cross.

Thomas Mueller gave Germany the lead in the 18th minute, his fifth goal at the World Cup, sweeping the ball home after Bastian Schweinsteiger's swerving shot had been stopped by Muslera, who was at fault in Germany's first two goals. Edinson Cavani equalised for Uruguay in the 28th when he slid a shot past goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt. Uruguay have beaten Germany only once in 10 matches, in 1928. Germany beat Uruguay in the third-place match in 1970 -- the last time Uruguay reached the semi-finals.

"I don't think it's too much vanity to think that if we improve a little we can aspire to certain prominence in future international tournaments," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. Mueller and Forlan are now even at five goals with David Villa of Spain and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, both of whom can raise their total in today's final.

Germany's young team was missing five regulars through injury and illness, including striker Miroslav Klose. Klose missed a chance to match or beat the World Cup scoring record of 15 goals, held by Brazil striker Ronaldo. In an action-packed match, Butt had two good saves from Luis Suarez and Forlan after his team's second goal. The 36-year-old veteran, who was third-choice goalkeeper in 2002, got his World Cup debut instead of regular Manuel Neuer.

In their last three World Cup tournaments, Germany were runners-up in 2002 and third in 2006 at home.