Uruguay 2 Germany 3 in Pictures

Uruguayan players with striker, Luis Suarez back in the side poses for pre-match photos.

The German huddle. Their camp was hit by flu virus which cost them Misrolav Klose (I hope he has another World Cup outing to score 2 more goals and top the goal scorer's record), Lukas Podolski, Manuel Neuer and captain, Philipp Lahm. Even coach, Joaquim Loew was hit by the virus.

And who but not Germany's super 20 year old, Thomas Mueller to open the score sheet. 1-0 to Germany.

But Uruguay's Cavani would hit one pass Hans-Jorg Butt to equalise.

And in the second half, a brilliant play by the men in blue ended up with the ball in German's net once again with a superb volley by veteran striker, Diego Forlan.

The advantage only lasted for 5 minutes though with a header by Marcell Jansen putting the Germans back in the game.

A corner in the 82nd minute for the Germans produced the match winning goal, coming from the head of Sami Khadira.

And in the dying minutes, Uruguay was awarded a free kick. With Forlan stepping up to take the kick, German's fans hard to cross their fingers that the match did not go into extra time. Alas! Forlan hit the ball against the bar and the referee ended the match. It is 3-2 to Germany.

The Germans celebrating after the final whistle. They have retained their third spot and have been in the top four spot in their last three World Cup outings (they finished second to Brazil in Japan/Korea 2002).

The third place victors.

A very bright side. One would bet that the Germans can only get better from here.

Khadira, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Cacao posed with their bronze medals.

Loew can be very proud with his youthful team.

Match winner, Khadira.

The Germans making their round of honour to thank their fans.

It has been a bumpy ride for the Germans this time around. They started brightly by thrashing Australia 4-1 and then losing to minnows, Serbia 1-0 in their second match. They came up with the goods in their final group match though, defeating Ghana 1-0. In their last 16 match, controversy dominated as they thrashed England 4-1 and set up a meeting with Argentina, a mouth watering tie. In the quarters, they would play their cool and brilliant football, thrashing the men in blue 4-0. However, when it was most needed for the Germans to deliver, they bowed out to Spain's Carlos Puyol's goal in the semi-finals, setting them up with Uruguay in the third placing playoff match. And in an exciting game, Germany ended their 2010 campaign on high by defeating Uruguay 3-2. And what a way to do it. Klose taking his World Cup goals tally to 14, only one shy of all time leader, Ronaldo. Schweinsteiger having yet another good outing. And of course, Mueller, the wonder kid. Only 20 years old and already having 5 World Cup goals, including a brace against England. I for one look to a brighter future in the Germans and with Joaquim Loew staying, not many would bet against them doing so. =)