If Saturday's 2006 FIFA World Cup third-place match is any indication, Germany is in good shape for 2010.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, one of the faces of head coach Juergen Klinsmann's youth movement, was involved in all of the host nation's goals in a 3-1 victory over Portugal in Stuttgart. The 21-year-old blasted in wonder goals in the 56th and 78th minutes and forced a Petit own goal in the 61st. It's the third time the Germans have finished third in the World Cup, having won the consolation match in 1934 and 1970, as well. Nuno Gomes scored the only goal for Portugal.
Oliver Kahn, the Golden Ball winner at the 2002 World Cup, got the start in goal for Germany. Kahn had been relegated to the substitutes' bench behind starter Jens Lehmann, but Klinsmann brought the 37-year-old on for what is likely to be his last World Cup appearance. Klinsmann also gave starting nods to Jens Nowotny and Marcell Jansen and sent Mike Hanke and Thomas Hitzlsperger on in the second half, giving each their first appearance in this World Cup.
On the other side, Portugal captain Luis Figo was left out of Luiz Felipe Scolari's starting 11, though he came on with 14 minutes left in the match to make what will likely be his final World Cup appearance. The only outfield player not to have made an appearance for Portugal prior to Saturday's match, Ricardo Costa, was given a starting spot.
The Germans came out with purpose in the first half. Just five minutes in, Sebastian Kehl fired a shot from the top of the box that was just deflected out for a corner. Kehl was at it again in the 20th minute with a chip from 18 yards that Portuguese 'keeper Ricardo managed to tip over the bar.
The Portuguese defense developed a pattern in the early going of giving away free kicks around the edge of the penalty area, and they were lucky not to go behind. Ricardo, arguably his country's top performer throughout the tournament, provided a remarkable save on a free kick unleashed by German striker Lukas Podolski in the 25th minute.
At the other end, Portugal was able to play one- and two-touch passes, but didn't prove dangerous in the attacking third. Deco finally gave the partisan German crowd a reason to be nervous in the 31st minute, curling his effort on the turn just high and wide of the right corner.
In the history of the World Cup's third-place match, attacking play has been the rule, with nearly four goals scored per game. Both sides' willingness to go forward in the first half gave reason to believe that wouldn't change Saturday, even if the scoreline at the break did.
Eleven minutes after the restart, the Germans finally broke through. Schweinsteiger cut in from the left, avoiding two Portuguese defenders before unleashing a shot from all of 25 yards out. The swerving blast wrong-footed Ricardo, who could only flail at the ball as it screamed past.
Five minutes later, Schweinsteiger was involved again as the Germans made it 2-0. The Bayern Munich man drove in a low free kick from the left, and Portuguese defender Petit's attempted interception found the back of the net for an own goal.
Portugal nearly pulled one back in the 63rd minute as Deco ripped a shot at Kahn's near post. The aging 'keeper showed he can still make spectacular saves, though, parrying the effort out for a corner.
Kahn was on his toes again 15 minutes later, stopping Cristiano Ronaldo from getting the Iberians on the board with another outstanding save.
At the other end mere seconds later, Schweinsteiger zipped home his second. Again starting on the left, he edged to the inside before launching another swerving rocket inside the far post. Moments after his second strike, Schweinsteiger was replaced by Hitzlsperger, walking off the field to a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Though the result was academic at that point, the Portuguese continued to push in an effort to break their epic scoreless drought, having failed to score since the 23rd minute of their Round of 16 victory over the Netherlands.
Ronaldo looked likely to snap the skid in the 83rd minute, but Kahn was there to make another one of his eight saves on the day. Finally, Nuno Gomes put home a diving header from a Figo cross three minutes from time to halt the scoreless streak at 364 minutes.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
