Host nation Germany had the consolation of securing third place at the World Cup by defeating Portugal 3-1 in the play-off here on Saturday.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was the hero scoring two great individual
goals and having a hand in the other when his fierce cross shot
forced an own goal from Armando Petit.
The third-place match was a day of fond farewells with Portuguese legend Luis Figo coming on in the 75th minute for his
127th and final international appearance.
Hampered by injuries - including captain Michael Ballack -
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann gave fringe players such a chance to experience the World Cup fever. Veteran goalkeeper Kahn, 37, also started in goal for his first appearance at these finals after playing understudy to Jens Lehmann.
Portugal fielded their strongest side, minus the suspended
Ricardo Carvalho, with Barcelona's Champions League winner Deco
feeding Simao Sabrosa and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Germany started the better but the first opening fell to
Portugal on the quarter-hour mark only for Pauleta to fluff his
lines. Germany's 21-year-old striker Lukas Podolski, voted best young player at the finals, then stung the palms of goalkeeper Ricardo with a free-kick. Miroslav Klose, top-scorer at the finals with five, went close shortly afterwards but missed the chance to stretch his lead in the race for the golden boot.
Germany finally took the lead on 56 minutes through Schweinsteiger. The Bayern Munich midfielder, dropped from the starting line-up for the semi-final defeat against Italy, cut infield and hammered a swerving shot with his right foot that flew past Ricardo. Five minutes later Schweinsteiger drove a fierce cross into the area and Petit deflected it into his own net.
Schweinsteiger struck again in the 78th minute with another
terrific drive to cap a fine display. Substitute Nuno Gomes pulled one back late on dive heading in a brilliant cross from Figo but it was to be Germany's day.
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Host nation Germany had the consolation of securing third place at the World Cup by defeating Portugal 3-1 in the play-off here on Saturday.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was the hero scoring two great individual
goals and having a hand in the other when his fierce cross shot
forced an own goal from Armando Petit.
The third-place match was a day of fond farewells with Portuguese legend Luis Figo coming on in the 75th minute for his
127th and final international appearance.
Hampered by injuries - including captain Michael Ballack -
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann gave fringe players such a chance to experience the World Cup fever. Veteran goalkeeper Kahn, 37, also started in goal for his first appearance at these finals after playing understudy to Jens Lehmann.
Portugal fielded their strongest side, minus the suspended
Ricardo Carvalho, with Barcelona's Champions League winner Deco
feeding Simao Sabrosa and Cristiano Ronaldo.
[bild1]
Germany started the better but the first opening fell to
Portugal on the quarter-hour mark only for Pauleta to fluff his
lines. Germany's 21-year-old striker Lukas Podolski, voted best young player at the finals, then stung the palms of goalkeeper Ricardo with a free-kick. Miroslav Klose, top-scorer at the finals with five, went close shortly afterwards but missed the chance to stretch his lead in the race for the golden boot.
Germany finally took the lead on 56 minutes through Schweinsteiger. The Bayern Munich midfielder, dropped from the starting line-up for the semi-final defeat against Italy, cut infield and hammered a swerving shot with his right foot that flew past Ricardo. Five minutes later Schweinsteiger drove a fierce cross into the area and Petit deflected it into his own net.
Schweinsteiger struck again in the 78th minute with another
terrific drive to cap a fine display. Substitute Nuno Gomes pulled one back late on dive heading in a brilliant cross from Figo but it was to be Germany's day.
