Germany sweep up the bronze World Cup medal with thrilling 3-2 win over Uruguay

Germany 3 – Uruguay 2 (World Cup third-place playoff, July 10, 2010) (Longer highlights here.) The playoff began in competitive fashion as German left-back Dennis Aogo was yellow carded for poor tackle on Diego Perez’s ankle. The South Americans almost opened by Diego Forlan’s free-kick flew just over the bar. Germany began to turn the screw when Arne Friedrich headed against Uruguay bar, and soon the Nationalelf took the lead when Schweinsteiger’s long ranger was palmed into Thomas Mueller’s path and the Bayern youngster scored his fifth of the tournament. Uruguay weren’t behind for long, Perez did brilliantly to rob Schweinsteiger in midfielder which set up a counter-attack that Edison Cavani finished into the bottom corner. Six minutes after the break Uruguay took the lead with a special goal, Arevalo Rios crossed from the right and Diego Forlan scored a wonderful volley from the edge of the box. This time it was Germany who rallied instantly, Boateng swung in a cross from the right and Marcell Jansen beat two defenders and the keeper to head in the leveller. A ding-dong battle went in Germany’s favour in the 81st minute as a corner caused confusion in the box and Sami Khedira headed home the Europeans’ third. Uruguay almost scored with the final kick of the game as Diego Forlan cracked a free-kick against the bar.

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