PORT ELIZABETH–Sami Khedira scored a late goal yesterday to give Germany a 3-2 victory over Uruguay and third place for the second straight World Cup. Khedira scored with a header in the 82nd minute after the Uruguay defense failed to clear a corner from Mesut Oezil. The goal ended Uruguay's hopes of beating Germany for the first time in 82 years, while the Germans finished in the top three for the 11th time. Diego Forlan hit the crossbar with the last kick of the match in injury time, a free kick from the edge of the area.Uruguay had come from behind to lead 2-1 when Forlan volleyed in Egidio Arevalo's 51st-minute cross for his fifth goal of the tournament. Germany defender Marcell Jansen leveled five minutes later with a header after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera misjudged a cross. Thomas Mueller gave Germany the lead in the 18th minute, his fifth goal at the World Cup, sweeping the ball home after Bastian Schweinsteiger's swerving shot had been stopped by Muslera.
Edinson Cavani equalised for Uruguay in the 28th when he slid a shot past goalkeeper Hans Joerg Butt. Uruguay has beaten Germany only once in ten matches, in 1928. Germany beat Uruguay in the third-place match in 1970–the last time Uruguay reached the semifinals. Germany's young team was missing five regulars through injury and illness, including striker Miroslav Klose. Klose missed a chance to match or beat the World Cup scoring record of 15 goals, held by Brazil striker Ronaldo. In an action-packed match, Butt had two good saves from Luis Suarez and Forlan after his team's second goal. The 36-year-old veteran, who was third-choice goalkeeper in 2002, got his World Cup debut instead of regular Manuel Neuer. In its last three World Cup tournaments, Germany was runner-up in 2002 and third in 2006 at home. (AP)