FULL TIME - Match #63 (3RD PLACE PLAY-OFF) -
URUGUAY - 2
(Cavani 28')
(Forlan 51')
GERMANY - 3
(Muller 19')
(Jansen 56')
(Khedira 82')
Apologies for getting cut off right in the middle of the match last night. My computer's power unit decided to go kaput, and had to get it fixed all morning and afternoon.
It was a fantastic match. Both teams shed off any sort of lacklustre stuff everyone thought they would bring to the table, and they fought tooth and nail for the 3rd spot honor. Germany started the scoring through Muller, when Schweinsteiger's long ranger was parried straight to him in front of the goal by the Uruguayan GK, and Muller made no mistake. Cavani equalised for the Uruguayans in the next 9 minutes through Suarez who fed him easily in front of Butt, the German GK.
And that was the half-time score. 1 - 1, honors even.
The second half started as brightly as the first. The Germans looked menacing and relentless, but it was Forlan who broke through their defenses when a superb curler by Rios came straight to him and he blasted it acrobatically past a wrong-footed Butt who was caught napping. 2 - 1, Uruguay in the lead. But the celebrations lasted for the next 5 minutes only, because Boateng's superb kick sent the ball inside the box which the GK failed to collect and Jansen headed it right into the goal. 2 - 2, scores level again. Then both teams played some really attacking football but couldn't break through either's halves till the 82nd minute when a corner kick by Ozil was tamely cleared out by Lugano only to Khedira who headbutted the ball straight past the Uruguayan GK into the goal. 3 - 2, Germany in the lead.
The final chance of the match came in the dying seconds of extra time, when Uruguay won a fantastic free-kick right at the edge of the box, on the semi-circle. Forlan came forward to take it, and his fantastic hit beat the German wall and the GK fair and square, but hit the top post and flew outside. That was when the final whistle blew.
A great end to an equally wonderful match. Germany won rightfully, but they were stretched to the final limit by a great Uruguayan team who should be proud of their showing in WC 2010. Germany get the medals, Uruguay get the ovation.
And onwards, to the final match of WC 2010 tonight, the BIG FINAL - SPAIN takes on THE NETHERLANDS.
Till then...