Germany came from behind to beat Uruguay 3-2 and win a tight third-place playoff.
Sami Khedira headed the winner on 83 minutes after a pulsating game that was a fitting finish to both team’s outstanding championships.
Germany took the lead on 19 minutes when Bastian Schweinsteiger’s long-range effort was parried by the goalkeeper, and Thomas Mueller, who was suspended for the semi-final, pounced on the rebound to score his fifth goal of the tournament.
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Both teams came out in the second half ready to play some more attacking football. Uruguay took the initiative on 51 minutes when the ball was pulled back from the right and Diego Forlan brilliantly volleyed in from the edge of the box. Forlan must surely be in the mix to win the Golden Ball as player of the tournament after another game filled with menace and skill.
But the game always looked sure to have more goals. Jerome Boateng swung in a perfect cross to the back post, and Marcell Jansen headed home after the Uruguay keeper came, jumped and missed the ball.
Both sides pressed on in search of a victory, and it was Germany who took it after a cross from Memut Oezil pinged around the box, and Khedira looped a header into the top corner over the keeper.
The Uruguay players looked exhausted and heartbroken. But there was one last chance for that man Forlan. Suarez was brought down 20 yards out, deep into stoppage time. Forlan stepped up and slammed a crashing shot against the bar.
The final whistle went, and Germany had taken third ahead of Uruguay in fourth in the most scintillating game of the tournament.
