Germans settle for bronze

Associated Press

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa

In pouring rain on a ragged field, Germany and Uruguay staged a match entertaining enough to be for the World Cup title.

Too bad it was only for third place.

Sami Khedira scored in the 82nd minute to give Germany a 3-2 victory and third place for the second straight World Cup. But the Germans had to survive a final-second free kick by Uruguay star striker Diego Forlan from just outside the penalty area. It ricocheted off the crossbar, and the whistle sounded.

Rain-soaked players shook hands and awaited a medals ceremony that was not nearly what they wanted. The Netherlands and Spain will play for the championship on Sunday in Johannesburg.

Germany coach Joachim Loew, his voice still hoarse from the flu, said his team was going home “with a very good feeling.”

“We achieved more than we perhaps expected,” Loew said.

Khedira’s header after the Uruguay defense failed to clear a corner kick by Mesut Oezil ended Uruguay’s hopes of beating Germany for the first time in 82 years.

“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.”

Uruguay came from behind to lead 2-1 when Forlan brilliantly volleyed in Egidio Arevalo’s 51st-minute cross for his fifth goal of the tournament.

Germany defender Marcell Jansen tied it five minutes later with a header after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera misjudged a cross.

In the dying moments, on a rain soaked pitch, Uruguay had one more opportunity. But Forlan, who has been especially dangerous on free kicks, hit the bar.