World Cup host nation Germany finished the tournament in third place after their 3-1 win over Portugal in the third-place play-off that took place in Stuttgart on Saturday. Bastian Schweinsteiger netted a brace in the 56th and 78th minutes and an own goal from Petit in the 61st minute handed the Germans their victory, while substitute Nuno Gomes scored Portugal's consolation goal in the 88th minute. The win handed Germany the third place for the fourth time in their World Cup history while the Portuguese had to settle for fourth spot. The hosts started the game in an excelled form, and came close to scoring in the fifth minute after a Bastian Schweinsteiger corner-kick was headed down to Sebastian Kehl who connected with a volley only to be deflected off Nuno Valente for another corner-kick. Three minutes later Schweinsteiger led a quick counter-attack before finding Miroslav Klose on the edge of the box, and the Bremen man collected before shooting just inches wide of the post. Portugal's first attacking effort came in the 16th minute after Simao Sabrosa sent the ball to Pauleta who fired but Oliver Kahn made his first real save of the tournament to clear the curled effort.
In the 20th minute, Kehl sent a curled shot from the edge of the Portuguese box with Ricardo producing a fine save to deny Germany their first goal. Five minutes later Germany were awarded an indirect free kick on the edge of the box, which was set to Lukas Podolski and the youngster fired a left-footed shot but Ricardo cleared the shot with an excellent save. The Germans kept on pushing in the second half and Schweinsteiger put them ahead in the 56th minute after a great run on the left side before cutting inside and firing a straight shot that deceived Ricardo. Just four minutes later Schweinsteiger fired in a free kick from the left flank and substitute Petit could only turn the ball into his own net when trying to clear for Germany to score their second of the game. Portugal responded as Deco tried a shot from the edge of the box but Kahn reminded the fans of what he's capable of by tipping the ball wide. Portugal had a nice build up play setting Ronaldo from the left side, but his shot was saved by Kahn and from the resulting counter, Schweinsteiger made a similar effort to the first goal and this time his bullet shot went into the far post to add his second of the game. The Portuguese pulled a goal back two minutes from time after substitutes Luis Figo and Gomes combined together after Figo played a pinpoint right sided cross to Gomes on the far post who easily tapped in the header past Kahn.
