Germany claimed third place in a battle of pride against Portugal in Stuttgart. Two goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger allowed the hosts to win a comfortable game 3-1 with the Portuguese looking drained after a thoroughly exhausting tournament.
Both sides will have wanted to play in the ¾ place play off very little after traumatic semi final defeats but far from the exhibition it was expected to be Germany took home the spoils and gave their passionate supporters another great performance to remember from the 2006 World Cup.
Losing to Italy in a memorable semi final match up allowed Germany to make a few changes with Ballack injured Kehl stepped in and there were also places for Oliver Kahn and Jens Nowotny, two players yet to have stepped onto a World Cup pitch during the tournament.
Portugal played a very similar side to the one which was beaten by a Zidane penalty three days previous. Figo in his last international game started on the bench as Simao a constantly used substitute was given a rare start. With Carvalho suspended it allowed his Chelsea team mate Ferreira to take his place.
Germany began the brighter and had an early chance through Kehl after a knockdown from Podolski. His volleyed shot however was cleared in front of the goal by Maniche who looked to have used an arm to prevent the goal but was not punished for the incident.
Spurred on by their turned down claims Germany attacked further but were caught on the break by Portugal who were nearly given the lead by Pauleta. Captain in the absence of Luis Figo the French based striker was played through by Simao but could not manage to force the ball past Kahn despite his best efforts.
Five minutes later they again came close through Ronaldo but were caught on the counter moments after nearly scoring by Kehl whose inventive chip was tipped over the bar by Ricardo in the Portuguese goal. The Sporting keeper had to be at full stretch to tip over as the shot came in from the midfielder.
The Germans now were beginning to take control but could not force a way through despite continued spells of possession. Ricardo again saved Portugal midway through the first half palming away a viciously struck free kick from Podolski. From a narrow angle the forward was teed off by two teams’ mates before driving a rasping low shot towards goal. It was not enough however as nothing more than a great save came from his shot.
The Second half began with Germany again in the ascendancy and deservingly they took the lead on fifty six minutes through Schweinsteiger. Cutting in from the left the winger revived memories of the long range strikes which gave Germany victory on day one as his powerfully struck drive bent and swerved past a helpless Ricardo on the way into the net.
The lead was extended five minutes later when the unlucky Petit sliced into his own net from a Schweinsteiger free kick. Again powerfully struck the drive appeared to be on target but appearing to be saved by Ricardo his midfield colleague intervened and sent the ball inadvertently flying into the back of his own net.
Portugal came forward in search of a way back into the game but they could do little to stop Germany from rampaging into a 3-0 lead late in the half was Schweinsteiger again fired into the back of the net from long range. With space opening up in front of the goal the midfielder curled a beautifully struck shot past Ricardo for his second goal of the game.
In the dying moments Portugal got the goal that their efforts had deserved through substitute Nuno Gomes heading into the net at the far post after an excellent cross from Figo. The goal was excellently taken and gave Portugal their moment of pride in their final match of the 2006 World Cup.
Gomes’ effort however was not enough to take the shine off a brilliant German performance and it was they not their European neighbours who claimed third place.
Both sides will have wanted to play in the ¾ place play off very little after traumatic semi final defeats but far from the exhibition it was expected to be Germany took home the spoils and gave their passionate supporters another great performance to remember from the 2006 World Cup.
Losing to Italy in a memorable semi final match up allowed Germany to make a few changes with Ballack injured Kehl stepped in and there were also places for Oliver Kahn and Jens Nowotny, two players yet to have stepped onto a World Cup pitch during the tournament.
Portugal played a very similar side to the one which was beaten by a Zidane penalty three days previous. Figo in his last international game started on the bench as Simao a constantly used substitute was given a rare start. With Carvalho suspended it allowed his Chelsea team mate Ferreira to take his place.
Germany began the brighter and had an early chance through Kehl after a knockdown from Podolski. His volleyed shot however was cleared in front of the goal by Maniche who looked to have used an arm to prevent the goal but was not punished for the incident.
Spurred on by their turned down claims Germany attacked further but were caught on the break by Portugal who were nearly given the lead by Pauleta. Captain in the absence of Luis Figo the French based striker was played through by Simao but could not manage to force the ball past Kahn despite his best efforts.
Five minutes later they again came close through Ronaldo but were caught on the counter moments after nearly scoring by Kehl whose inventive chip was tipped over the bar by Ricardo in the Portuguese goal. The Sporting keeper had to be at full stretch to tip over as the shot came in from the midfielder.
The Germans now were beginning to take control but could not force a way through despite continued spells of possession. Ricardo again saved Portugal midway through the first half palming away a viciously struck free kick from Podolski. From a narrow angle the forward was teed off by two teams’ mates before driving a rasping low shot towards goal. It was not enough however as nothing more than a great save came from his shot.
The Second half began with Germany again in the ascendancy and deservingly they took the lead on fifty six minutes through Schweinsteiger. Cutting in from the left the winger revived memories of the long range strikes which gave Germany victory on day one as his powerfully struck drive bent and swerved past a helpless Ricardo on the way into the net.
The lead was extended five minutes later when the unlucky Petit sliced into his own net from a Schweinsteiger free kick. Again powerfully struck the drive appeared to be on target but appearing to be saved by Ricardo his midfield colleague intervened and sent the ball inadvertently flying into the back of his own net.
Portugal came forward in search of a way back into the game but they could do little to stop Germany from rampaging into a 3-0 lead late in the half was Schweinsteiger again fired into the back of the net from long range. With space opening up in front of the goal the midfielder curled a beautifully struck shot past Ricardo for his second goal of the game.
In the dying moments Portugal got the goal that their efforts had deserved through substitute Nuno Gomes heading into the net at the far post after an excellent cross from Figo. The goal was excellently taken and gave Portugal their moment of pride in their final match of the 2006 World Cup.
Gomes’ effort however was not enough to take the shine off a brilliant German performance and it was they not their European neighbours who claimed third place.