Germany beat Portugal 3-1 for bronze
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-09 08:37 Germany were held to a 0-0 tie with Portugal at halftime, although both sides
were relaxed to play attacking football when their World Cup tour came down to
the bronze medal battle.
Germany pushed very hard at the very beginning and posed a real threat in the
fourth minute.
A Bastian Schweinsteiger corner was headed into the path of Sebastian Kehl by
Christoph Metzelder. Metzelder's volleyed goalbound effort appeared to hit the
hand of Nuno Valente inside the area, but referee Toru Kamikawa waved play on.
Portugal also displayed some lovely one-touch passing sequence and in the
16th minute, Pauleta run onto a wonderful through ball from Sabarosa and was
alone facing Oliver Kahn, but the keeper made the save.
Germany's Oliver Kahn gestures during the World Cup 2006 third
place soccer match between Germany and Portugal in Stuttgart July 8,
2006.[Reuters] |
Kahn, who had sit out Germany's previous matches, replaced Jens Lehmann in
the German goal for his first appearance at this summer' s showpiece tournament.
The 2002 Gold Ball winner showed some fine touches to the ovation of the
predominantly Germany-supporting crowd.
"The atomosphere here was so wonderful. Just imagine what it would be if we
had got the world champion," said Kahn.
The 37-year-old announced his retirement from the international arena after
the match.
"This was my last game with the national team. I can't imagine a previous
game more beautiful than this. It was one of the greatest moment if not the
greatest. I will cherish it in my memory," he said.
Figo, who announced his retirement from international football after the end
of the tournament, was a surprise exclusion from the starting line-up to face
Germany.
He came on in the 77th minute, substituting ineffective Pauleta.
Portugal's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari took an easy line after the defeat.
"It's a wonderful game. We didn't made many mistakes. But the German were
very effective and we couldn't help that," he said.
"We had some chances but not convert them. Now I can't say anything about my
future."
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