Germany vs. France Third-place play-off

[MoJo23]

Starting lineups:

Germany: Kahn, Jansen, Huth, Metzelder, Lahm, Schneider, Kehl, Frings, Schweinsteiger, Klose, Podolski.

Germany's veteran keeper Oliver Kahn comes in for Jens Lehmann to win his 86th cap for his country.
Midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Torsten Frings also return.

Portugal: Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Costa, Meira, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Maniche, Deco, Ronaldo, Pauleta, Simao.

Portugal's Luis Figo is a surprise exclusion from the starting line-up to face Germany in the World Cup third-place play-off.
Figo, who is expected to announce his retirement from international football after the end of the tournament, takes his place on the bench.


My prediction: Germany 2-0 Portugal

[MoJo23]

Germany are motivated - Klinsmann

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has insisted that his team will be motivated to win the third-place play-off against Portugal on Saturday.

Opposite number Luiz Felipe Scolari has criticised the fixture, saying it was difficult to enthuse his players.

But Klinsmann insisted Saturday's match in Stuttgart was valuable, saying: "It has something, it is a World Cup game.

"We want to be third and we are going to give it our best and try to give our fans a good game."

The match takes place in Klinsmann's home town of Stuttgart, although the Germany coach would much rather have been in Berlin for the final.

But he said: "We want to give a good performance on Saturday to give the supporters something to cheer about.

"We wanted to be in Berlin for the big final but we have to settle for this mini-final in Stuttgart."

Klinsmann will have Miroslav Klose available after the Werder Bremen striker was declared fit on Friday.

Klose will pass Klinsmann's career total of 11 World Cup goals if he scores twice against Portugal.

The Werder Bremen striker is also leading the race for the World Cup Golden Shoe, awarded to the tournament's leading scorer, with five goals.

But Klose said he was motivated to win the third-place play-off, rather than the Golden Shoe.

"It would be great to be top scorer because then at least one title would remain in Germany," Klose said.

"But everyone knows I am a team player and I am thinking only of the game."

[Amir H F]

Damn no Figo? and Kahn starting is good...let him have a start for once. My prediction is going to be 2-1 Germany but I say Go Portugal!!!

[MoJo23]

Third-place match upsets Scolari

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes the World Cup third-place play-off match causes "suffering" for the teams involved.

Scolari's side, who were beaten 1-0 by France in their semi-final, will battle for third place with host nation Germany on Saturday.

"From the business perspective, maybe it's a good thing," said Scolari.

"On our side of the fence, this game represents suffering, rather than a match you are happy to take part in."

The Brazilian added: "After losing to France, it's very difficult to motivate the players for this.

"It's difficult to stop our players and ourselves thinking about what we missed out on. You think about what you've lost and not about what you might win.

"But it's part and parcel of the World Cup and we have to be optimistic."

[Kaveh Ahangar]

Good luck to Germany, they deserve to heavily beat those anti-football cheating Portuguese.

[Rooz]

Good luck to Germany, they deserve to heavily beat those anti-football cheating Portuguese.

theyre not cheats.

you only think that because of the british media. Portugal are the best team in teh tournament. they knocked out england. they deserve knighthood.

[Kaveh Ahangar]

theyre not cheats.
you only think that because of the british media. Portugal are the best team in teh tournament. they knocked out england. they deserve knighthood.

No. I dislike them because they knocked out Iran

[MoJo23]

Halftime score:

Germany 0-0 Portugal

[RistonBarreto]

OMG did anyone see the replay of that blatant Christiano Ronaldo dive just before half time?? Good non-call by the ref as the defender didn't touch him...then the genius Christiano trys to grab his upper shin and whine directly facing the ref even before he hits the ground..he should be suspended for his constant playacting, he has enough skill that he doesn't need to resort to these antics.

[persianballer]

Damn 2-0 .......... i realy want portugal to win

[CULOOCHE]

3-1 Final Germany Wins

[MoJo23]

nice diving header goal from portugal. But Schweinsteiger already took control of the game with his 2 absolutely amazing strikes.



Final score:

Germany 3-1 Portugal

Germany finish out the tournament with style.

[MoJo23]

Two great players who will propably end their international football career after this game.

[milad]

One great diver and one great player who will propably end their international football career after this game.

fixed.

[milad]

since petit touched the ball and it counted as an own goal (if not schweinsteiger would have scored 3), this WC is the first WC ever to not have anyone score a hat-trick.