MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 11:20:29| >> :600:225263:225263:

On this day: Germany edge out Uruguay in third-place playoff

On this day in 2010, a late goal from Sami Khedira earns Germany a 3-2 victory over Uruguay to win the World Cup third-place playoff.

Germany went into their match with Uruguay in 2010 looking to make up for their semi-final disappointment against Spain by recording back-to-back third-place finishes at the World Cup finals.

As for Uruguay, they were hoping to register their best effort in the tournament since 1970, and Oscar Tabarez was able to welcome back striker Luis Suarez for the fixture in Port Elizabeth after he missed their last-four encounter with the Netherlands through suspension.

Joachim Low had a fully-fit squad to choose from for the match, but he opted to make several changes to his lineup with Hans-Jorg Butt, Dennis Aogo, Marcell Jansen and Cacau all being given a start against the South Americans.

There were no signs of either side taking it easy in their final game of the tournament as Aogo and Cacau were cautioned inside the opening seven minutes, with the latter's foul giving Diego Forlan a chance from long range but his free kick drifted marginally over the crossbar.

Germany's midfielder Thomas Muller scores past Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera during the 2010 World Cup third place football match between Uruguay and Germany on July 10, 2010© Getty Images

Germany provided a fast response, though, and after Arne Friedrich had struck the woodwork with a header, the 2002 runners-up took the lead in the 19th minute through Thomas Muller, who reacted fastest inside the penalty area after Bastian Schweinsteiger's 30-yard strike had been saved by Fernando Muslera.

However, it took Uruguay just 10 minutes to get back on level terms. Schweinsteiger was dispossessed by Diego Perez on the halfway line before Suarez played in Edinson Cavani to clip the ball over Butt and into the net.

The match was developing into an exciting contest in the pouring rain at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and Uruguay should have arguably been ahead at the break but Suarez squandered two openings in 60 seconds as they ended the half on top.

Uruguay's striker Diego Forlan celebrates after scoring as Germany's defender Per Mertesacker dejects during the 2010 World Cup third place match Uruguay vs Germany on July 10, 2010© Getty Images

La Celeste's momentum continued at the start of the second half and after Butt had denied him minutes earlier, Forlan got on the score sheet by sending a volley into the roof of the net after a curling delivery from the flank from Egidio Arevalo.

Their advantage lasted only a matter of five minutes as Germany struck back almost immediately. Uruguay stopper Muslera, who had endured a difficult evening, missed a Jerome Boateng cross and Jansen was there to head home his third international goal.

The opportunity was there for Germany to try to establish a foothold in the game but back came Uruguay through Suarez, who, after creating another chance for Forlan, danced past Friedrich before being denied by a last-ditch tackle by Schweinsteiger.

Germany's midfielder Sami Khedira (R) and Germany's defender Per Mertesacker celebrate after Khedira scored a goal during the third place World Cup 2010 football match Uruguay versus Germany on July 10, 2010© Getty Images

However, with 20 minutes remaining, after Schweinsteiger had an effort deflected wide and Stefan Kiessling saw his strike saved by Muslera, Germany netted the fifth and decisive goal in what had turned out to be one of the most enthralling matches of the tournament.

A corner from the right-hand side was headed back across into the six-yard box, and after Diego Lugano had struggled to react, Sami Khedira took advantage to direct an header into the corner from close range.

That goal deflated an already exhausted Uruguay and that allowed Germany to push for a fourth, but despite Boateng and Kiessling wasting openings in the closing stages, Schwarz und Weiss were able to secure third position at a World Cup finals for the fourth time in their history.

ID:164325: cacheID:164325:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8270:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Joel Campbell of Costa Rica celebrates scoring his team's first goal with the ball under his jersey as teammates Oscar Duarte and Michael Umana run on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Uruguay and Costa Rica at Castelao on June 1
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!