By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports

South Africa, Saturday, July 10, 2010 — Despite missing four first team regulars, Germany managed to fend off the challenge of the last surviving South American team, Uruguay, 3-2 to finish third in this year’s World Cup.

The Germans, who achieved three previous four-goal victories in the tournament, did not have it easy in this game as first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, captain Phillip Lahm, forwards Lukasz Podolski and Miroslav Klose had to miss out due to the flu virus. They even trailed 2-1 six minutes into the second half. However incessant pressure on the Uruguayan goal paid off as 23-year-old midfielder Sami Khedira headed in the winner eight minutes from time.

The Germans took an early lead on 18 minutes when the returning Thomas Muller capitalized on Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s spill from Bastian Schweinsteiger’s speculative shot to slot into the bottom right corner of the goal.

However the Uruguayans hit back 10 minutes later. Schweinsteiger, of all people, lost possession in midfield which led to a Uruguay counter attack. The end result was an Edinson Cavani’s calm finish into the bottom right in a one-on-one opportunity with Hans-Jorg Butt.

They continued to exploit the Germans’ uncharacteristic loopholes in defence with Luis Suarez threatening with two efforts on goal. One flashed across the face of goal, while another one was denied by a great reflex save by Butt.

It was no surprise they took the lead on 51 minutes. Chief striker Diego Forlan connected with an Egidio Arevalo’s right-wing cross with a sweet volley into the right corner of the goal that left Butt rooted to the spot.

The match continued its topsy-turvy tempo with the Germans equalising five minutes later. A teasing Jerome Boateng cross created confusion in the Uruguay box with goalkeeper Muslera once again flapping at it. Left winger Marcell Jansen was the beneficiary as he headed into an empty goal.

It was the Germans who had the last laugh though when Mesut Ozil’s inswinging corner was half-cleared and Khedira stole in to produce a looping header over Muslera.

The Uruguayans could have extended their dreams for an extra 30 minutes but Diego Forlan’s 20-metre free kick in the third minute of injury minute struck the bar before going out of play.

Germany now have a record of being perennial bridesmaids at major competitions. They were losing finalists in the 2002 World Cup, had a third-place finish in 2006 World Cup, were losing finalists at Euro 2008, and this year’s third-place finish in World Cup 2010. They will have to wait another two or four years to get another chance of shedding this unwanted tag.

Final Result
Uruguay 2
Edinson Cavani 28′
Diego Forlan 51′
Germany 3
Thomas Muller 18′
Marcell Jansen 56′
Sami Khedira 82′

More News and Reactions
Video highlights of the game
Guardian.co.uk: Germany beat Uruguay in third-place thriller
Dailymail.co.uk: Sami Khedira nods Joachim Low’s side into third place
Goal.com players’ ratings
Match Pictures