It was Sami Khedira header in the 82nd minute that did the trick for the Joachim Low boys as they edged past Uruguay 3-2 in third place playoff played at the Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth here on Saturday evening.
Beaten in the semi-finals , both the teams had their last try to make their World Cup journey a remarkable one , but it was Germany who walked away with the victory smile to finish third in two successive World Cups.
New found German Hero and nominee for the Best Young Player, Thomas Muller opened the accounts for his side in the 18th minute with the easiest of the job to do, he pounced on the Uruguay goalkeeper Nestor Mulsera spilled save of Schweinsteiger shot to put Germans ahead in the match.   This was Muller fifth goal of the tournament.
Uruguay never say die attitude will be always hailed whenever FIFA World Cup 2010 will be hot topic between football pundits and fans and the South Americans gave a solid reply to their opponent and levelled the terms through Edinson Cavani in the 28th minute.
After a gripping and enthralling first half, it was Uruguay who went ahead for the first time in the match with a superb volley by Diego Forlan in the 51st minute. The Atletico Madrid striker netted his fifth goal of the tournament to stun Germans, but the Europeans were not to throw-in the towel and scored the equaliser five minutes later through Marcell Jensen. The winger headed in a Jerome Boateng teasing cross from the right flank to bring his side back in the contention.
It was 82nd minute flag-kick by Mesut Ozil that paved the way for winner as Khedira took an advantage of a defensive lapse after Uruguayan defence failed to get rid of the corner.