Stuttgart, Germany – This third-place game had meaning – for Germany, at least.
Capping a jubilant World Cup in style, host Germany defeated Portugal 3-1 Saturday on two sensational goals by Bastian Schweinsteiger. He also set up the third, when his free kick was deflected in for an own-goal by Portugal’s Armando Petit.
Winning the consolation game was the next best thing to playing in Sunday’s final – contested by France and Italy – and unexpected when the young German team behind innovative coach Juergen Klinsmann began play four weeks ago.
Schweinsteiger’s two goals were almost identical.
In the 56th, he retreated from the corner of the penalty area on the left side and worked to the middle of the field, launching a 25-yard rising shot over the outstretched left hand of keeper Ricardo.
Six minutes later the midfielder, who didn’t start in the 2-0 loss to Italy in the semifinals, set up the own-goal as Petit deflected his free kick behind Ricardo.
In the 78th, he again sent a rising shot sailing over Ricardo’s hands. With this one he doffed his shirt, drawing applause from the 52,000 sellout that included seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.
The Germans have won the World Cup three times, and they are always a threat. They’ve reached the semifinals a record 11 times, and this is the third time they’ve won the consolation prize.
Portugal failed to match its best World Cup, falling just short of the third-place finish in 1966. Eusebio, a member of that 1966 team was on the bench, but couldn’t rally a victory.
Portugal winger Luis Figo came on as a late substitute and, at 33, surely has played in his last World Cup. It’s also likely to be the final World Cup game for 37-year-old German keeper Oliver Kahn, who got his first start after sitting on the bench for six games behind Jens Lehmann.
German newspapers called this the “Little Final,” but it had a big feeling in a stadium awash with Germany’s black, yellow and red national colors. One handwritten poster read: “Thanks for being our guest,” shorthand for the feel-good factor in this tournament.
The biggest question for Germany is the future of coach Klinsmann. The California resident has been noncommittal about his plans. But even the tabloid Bild, his biggest critic a month ago, has begun a write-in campaign to keep him.
Other newspapers like the Berliner Kurier carried this headline: “Klinsi, please stay.” A poster hanging from the team’s hotel in Stuttgart read: “Thanks guys for a wonderful four weeks.” One curiosity: this was the first World Cup meeting for the two European soccer powers. Overall, they have now played 15 times.
Germany won seven, Portugal three and five were draws.
Germany made five changes from the team that lost 2-0 to Italy.
Portugal made three from the side that fell to 1-0 to France.
Germany had most of the pressure early, but Portugal got the best scoring chance in the 15th when Pauleta broke in from the left, but his shot for a wide open corner was deflected by Kahn diving to the left. Portugal scored only seven goals in the tournament, a Pauleta’s poor finishing was one reason. He scored in the fourth minute of the first game, but not since.
Five minutes later, Germany had its best chance when Sebastian Kehl’s curing shot was tipped over the crossbar by Ricardo. Five minutes later, Podolski tested Ricardo with a rising free kick.
The first half was broken by fouls and three yellow cards, keeping Japanese referee Toru Kamikawa. busy. Germany outshot Portugal 7-4, but Portugal had 57 percent of the possession.
The two quick second-half goals opened the game.
