Germany, for the second time in a roll, finished third in the 2010 FIFA World Cup after beating Uruguay 3-2 in a thrilling encounter that took place at port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The disappointment of not making it into the final usually hovers over a third place playoff clash but Uruguay and Germany staged a spirited performance that left all lovers of game satisfied. Germany had been defeated in the semi finals 1-0 by Spain while Uruguay went down 3-2 to the Netherlands.

Despite missing their key striker, Miroslav Klose who was down with flu, Germany started the game strong and almost took an early lead in the 10th minute. A powerful header from a corner by Arna Fredrick went past the goalkeeper but unfortunately struck the crossbar to deny the German’s an early lead.

But the German’s were not to be held down for long and Thomas Mueller put them in front after 19 minutes. Bastian Schweinsteiger fired a rocket shot from over 30 yards which Uruguayan goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, found too hot to handle and spilled the ball into the path Mueller who fired in from eight yards.

The goal, however, seemed to have awakened the Uruguayans from their slumber and they fought hard to get an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in the 28th minute as Edinson Cavani pulled them level. Deigo Perez tackled German skipper, Schweinsteiger, in the centre of park and the ball fell to Luis Soarez who fed a devastating through ball to Cavani. Cavani found himself one on one with German goalkeeper, Hans-Joerg Butt and he expertly slid the ball past Butt to score an important equaliser.  

The game went into the break with a one-one deadlock and with both teams playing impressive football. The breath taking action resumed in the second half and the two teams resumed from where they had left. But it was Uruguay that struck first and took the lead six minutes after the restart. Egidio Arevalo made a superb run down the right flank and his cross to the edge of the penalty area was acrobatically volleyed into the German net by Diego Forlan. 

But Germany had a reply kept in its bag and scored the equaliser just five minutes after the South American side’s goal. Uruguayan goalkeeper, Muslera, failed to judge a lofty cross from Manchester City’s new signing, Jerome Boateng, and the goalkeeper was caught in no man’s land as German winger, Marcell Jansen, headed the ball into the empty net.

The game continued but neither side seriously threatened to retake the lead. However, just when the shadow of extra time had began to loom over the match; Sami Khadira struck in the 82nd minute to steal the victory for Germany. The Uruguayan defence failed to deal with a deep corner and the ball bubbled dangerously in the six yard box before Khadila looped a header into the net. It was a heart breaking moment for Uruguay but a deserved moment of ecstasy for the Germans who had displayed great class throughout the match.

In the end Germans triumphed but their 20 year wait for a fourth World Cup will continue. With a young side squad that was mostly made of players under the age of 25, the Europeans showed great determination throughout the competition and they will be a team to watch at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.