Uruguay v Germany

18:30 GMT, July 10, 2010

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Often billed as the game that nobody cares about, the World Cup final third place play-off has some interesting storylines this year. While both sides will rue the performances that saw them dumped out of the spotlight, there is still a lot to play for as Germany take on surprise package Uruguay in Port Elizabeth.


Uruguay certainly want to end their wonderful tournament on a high as fans back in Montevideo celebrated their progression to the semi-finals (and ultimate defeat) to Netherlands as if they had got their hands on the trophy.

There will certainly be no shortage of desire on their part when the whistle blows, while strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez still have something to prove on the world stage. Forlan is still in the running for the Golden Boot with his four goals currently one short of David Villa and Wesley Sneijder; while Suarez will be making his first appearance since his flagrant handball earned him a red card, one-game suspension and the condemnation of Africa for cruelly helping to knock out Ghana.

Meanwhile, Germany's Miroslav Klose (14) is chasing not only the Golden Boot, but also a chance to overtake Brazil legend Ronaldo (15) as the World Cup's greatest ever goalscorer if he can overcome a back injury. The Germans may not like their success in this game, but they have picked up three third-place awards already - in 1934, 1970 and 2006 - with Bastian Schweinsteiger's brace making them 'reigning champions' in that respect.

Germany could be set to name a young team, though, after a flu outbreak hit the team.

Germany player to watch: Miroslav Klose. Germany are likely to rest a few of their big names, but Klose is certain to be chewing the ear off coach Joachim Low in a bid to start the game and break the World Cup scoring record - he needs to prove his fitness first though. Having been ready to join West Ham before the tournament, his goalscoring form has alerted the rest of Europe that he is not quite past his best just yet and another good performance will not only etch his name in history, but will likely guarantee his short-term future in club football as well.

Uruguay player to watch: Luis Suarez. Rather proud of his 'Hand of God' mark II, Suarez has been placed under increased security in South Africa as angry fans have made no secret of their desire to seek retribution for the handball that denied Ghana a last-gasp winner in their quarter-final. Arguably the most in-form attacker in world football, Suarez can do a lot to bolster his reputation if he fires and Uruguay will benefit from the pace and vision that he brings up front.

Key battle: Sami Khedira v Diego Forlan. Khedira has been one of the stars of the tournament thus far, showing confidence beyond his tender years in central midfield. That Germany have looked a better side without Michael Ballack is largely down to the Stuttgart midfielder, but he will have his work cut out with marking Forlan. The striker is playing behind a front two for his country at this World Cup and, in his new playmaking role, has flourished. Excellent control of the ball, tireless running and a propensity to score goals from outside the box make him a dangerous opponent and he will be fired up to ensure Uruguay go out with a bang.

Trivia: No World Cup third place play-off has ever ended in a draw. South American sides have met European teams in six third-place play-offs so far, with both continents picking up three wins. It's evenly matched.

Stats: Uruguay are without a win in their last 14 World Cup matches against European sides, a run that started with a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the third place play-off in 1970. And with 13 goals, Germany are the highest-scoring team at this World Cup so far.

Odds: Germany (5.00), Uruguay (3.60) and the draw (1.72) are available with Bet 365 but Miroslav Klose to score two or more goals - thus becoming the World Cup's greatest ever goalscorer - comes in at 8.00.

Prediction: Germany may not take the game as seriously as the Uruguayans and few neutrals would be sad to see the underdogs walk away with the win. Desire may play an important role and Uruguay can end their tournament on a high.

Netherlands v Spain

18:30 GMT, July 11, 2010

Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa


For both of the nations competing in football's biggest match, the World Cup final represents a chance to bury the ghosts of the past and look forward to a glorious future. However, for the loser, the pain of defeat may linger long after the dust has settled at Soccer City.


Somewhat surprisingly, the two sides have never met at a World Cup and, in fact, have only clashed nine times in history, with each side claiming four wins and one draw. They have met in one final before - the Olympic Final in 1920 when Spain won 3-1 - but in recent results Netherlands have come out on top, with Spain's last win back in 1983.

Netherlands have made it to their first World Cup final since back-to-back defeats in 1974 and 1978 and have the weight of history heavy on their shoulders. The spectre of Johan Cruyff's Total Football has hung over the Dutch side for years and, now Bert van Marwijk's men have a chance to surpass their achievements, suddenly comparisons are being made again.

Certainly, the side's style under van Marwijk has not been 'Total' but the functional and destructive talents of Mark van Bommel and Nigel De Jong knit well with the attacking prowess of Robin van Perise, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben. As the only unbeaten side in the tournament, coming from behind to beat Brazil in the quarter-finals provided the Dutch with the confidence they need to re-write history in the final, but one feels they may still come up short.

The main reason for that is because they face arguably the best side in the world at the moment, European champions Spain, whose Golden Generation have made it past the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

With years of disappointment at international level now behind them after their win in 2008, Spain have a bright future and play the kind of attacking football that guarantees them fans across the globe. Maintaining control of the ball with expert technique, the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso provide the ammunition for the star strikers of David Villa and Fernando Torres, with Villa in the form of his life after a summer move to Barcelona.

Spain have conceded just two goals in the tournament thus far, while Netherlands have netted 12 goals in their six matches - so it should be an intriguing contest.

Netherlands player to watch: Mark Van Bommel. The defensive midfielder has been a crucial part of Netherlands' success and somehow he managed to avoid a booking until the final few minutes of their semi-final. Sharp in the tackle, van Bommel is charged with winning the ball back, pressing the opposition and general causing havoc in the middle of the field. Without him, there would be no space for the likes of Robben and Sneijder to operate.

Spain player to watch: Carles Puyol. For all the attacking talent Spain have on show, their style is based on solid defending and they don't come much more solid than Puyol. Showing he has the ability to turn a game by scoring the winner in the semi-finals, he has also been outstanding at the back alongside Gerard Pique and uses his considerable experience to slam the door shut on opposition attacks. Overall, he is a strong defender and while his lack of pace may be an issue, he will be key in keeping Netherlands off the scoresheet.

Key battle: Gregory Van Der Wiel v David Villa. The young Ajax right-back will take his place in the side again after suspension cost him a place against Uruguay. Strong and full of running, he provides an attacking outlet down the flank, but also has an important role to fill in defence as well. In the final, that will be to stop Villa drifting onto the left side and finding space to either shoot or cross. The new Barcelona man has been the in-form striker at the tournament, but has enjoyed most freedom from the left-hand side where he cuts in and causes problems for the defenders.

Trivia: Ten players - including seven players from the 1974 Bayern Munich and Germany side, plus Christian Karembeu, Roberto Carlos and Gianluca Zambrotta - have won both the European Cup (UEFA Champions League) and the World Cup in the same year. Wesley Sneijder could be added to this list if the Dutch win the title. Italy's Marcello Lippi is the only coach to have won the Champions League and World Cup - Spain's Vincente del Bosque could follow him.

Stats: Spain have the most World Cup wins of any country that has not lifted the World Cup trophy, while the Dutch have the second most. No team has ever lost their opening game (as Spain did against Switzerland) to then go on and win the World Cup.

Odds: Netherlands (3.75), Spain (2.10) and a draw (3.25) are on offer at Bet 365, while Villa to score first in a 2-1 win comes in at 26.00.

Prediction: The game may turn out to be similar to that of the Germany semi-final if the Dutch don't stay true to their attacking style. They can't afford to sit back and, unless they go a goal up early, Spain may take control. Hard to see anything but a Spain win, yet in a World Cup final, the pressure can effect even the most experienced players.

Full-time - 90'
Uruguay
2 - 3
Germany

18:30 GMT, July 10, 2010

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa


Germany secured third place in the World Cup courtesy of an entertaining 3-2 win over Uruguay in Port Elizabeth. A Sami Khedira header settled a game that saw both Thomas Muller and Diego Forlan move onto five goals for the tournament.


MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Sami Khedira - The holding midfielder scored the winning goal but it was an all-round performance of real energy and verve that sees him given this honour ahead of Diego Forlan. Khedira was his usual bustling presence alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger but also contributed to Germany's attacking thrusts and his headed goal was just reward for a tournament in which his reputation has grown immeasurably.

Uruguay verdict: Oscar Tabarez's side demonstrated the spirit and determination that took them to the semi-finals when responding to Thomas Muller's opener, but, like their campaign in South Africa, they just fell short. Forlan was masterful in attack, rounding off a tremendous tournament for the Atletico Madrid striker, but goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was culpable for two Germany goals.

Germany verdict: Third place is the least that Germany deserve after lighting up the tournament with the quality of their play. With Thomas Muller back on the right side of the attack following his suspension against Spain, Joachim Low's side once again hit their stride and played a full part in an entertaining contest. They undoubtedly missed Miroslav Klose as well as flu-hit captain Philipp Lahm though, with Cacau disappointing and Dennis Aogo lucky not to be dismissed for a horrible challenge on Diego Perez.

Could do better: Cacau - Miroslav Klose's injury gifted the Brazilian-born striker the chance to make his mark on the World Cup, but Cacau failed miserably to do so. Isolated, listless and wayward in his shooting, this was a performance in total contrast to the general excellence of Klose. His night came to a premature end when replaced by Stefan Kiessling, who immediately looked a much more dangerous presence in the Germany attack.

Stat attack: The last seven third-place play-offs matches have been won by European teams.


Muller currently leads the race after his fifth goal of the tournament - the same as Diego Forlan, David Villa and Wesley Sneijder but with more assists. Villa and Sneijder play in Sunday's final but Muller, the outstanding young player of the tournament, set the target in only his eighth appearance for Germany.

Muller opened the scoring in a rain-soaked Port Elizabeth before Edinson Cavani equalised for Uruguay, then Diego Forlan volleyed the South Americans in front before a goalkeeping error allowed Marcell Jansen to equalise.

A thrilling game - the most open contest of the World Cup - was finally decided when Sami Khedira headed home to give Germany their second third-place finish in consecutive tournaments.

Germany's hopes had looked dented when Miroslav Klose - who could have broken Ronaldo's all-time scoring record of 15 World Cup goals - was ruled out by a back injury. Muller was back from suspension however, as was Luis Suarez, the man whose controversial handball prevented Ghana from reaching the semi-finals.

It was Germany who seized control of the match in the opening exchanges with Cacau having a goal ruled out and Arne Friedrich thumping a header against the crossbar.

Germany made their dominance tell in the 19th minute when Bastian Schweinsteiger let fly from 30 yards and Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera misjudged the shot, allowing Muller to tuck home the loose ball with a minimum of fuss.

That should have been the cue for Joachim Low's side to impose their game on the South Americans but instead Schweinsteiger, their skipper and inspiration all tournament, allowed himself to be caught in possession by Diego Perez and suddenly it was the Germans being hit on the break.

Suarez's perfectly-timed pass put Cavani through on the left and he finished expertly low into the far corner to put Uruguay on level terms in the 28th minute.

Suarez, the striker who has been so deadly for Ajax, spurned an excellent chance to seize the lead when he fired wide late in the first half. The same player was denied again in the second by a reaction block from Hans-Jorg Butt, seconds after he had thwarted Cavani, but Germany's keeper could do nothing when Forlan's first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Egidio Arevalo muscled his way down the right and Forlan met his cross on the volley, the ball bouncing down into the ground and whistling into the net with Butt helpless.

But just when Uruguay looked on top another goalkeeping blunder allowed Germany back into the game. Muslera came for Jerome Boateng's cross but missed it completely, allowing Jansen to head into an empty net.

Butt kept Forlan at bay while at the other end substitute Stefan Kiessling twice came close to restoring Germany's lead.

With eight minutes left Mesut Ozil's corner caused chaos in the Uruguay area and Khedira looped a header into the corner to make it 3-2.

Kiessling scooped over from a great position before, with the very last kick of the game, Forlan blasted a free-kick against the frame of the goal.

Final score - after extra time - 120:00
Netherlands
0 - 1
Spain

18:30 GMT, July 11, 2010

Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa


In a game when a record number of yellow cards were given and John Heitinga was sent off in extra-time, both sides missed great chances from Arjen Robben and Cesc Fabregas, but Andres Iniesta netted in the 116th minute to give European champions Spain their first World Cup title.


MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Andres Iniesta. Once again Iniesta and Barcelona team-mate Xavi were imperious in the centre of midfield, bossing possession and helping Spain play the same patient game that has characterised their triumphant campaign. Possessing vision, craft, and guile in abundance, Iniesta produced a number of fine flicks and back-heels, while his winning goal was taken with aplomb.

Netherlands verdict: After an unimpressive first period - in which four players were yellow carded - Bert van Marwijk's side came into the game more after the interval, trying to get the ball to Arjen Robben as much as possible. It almost worked to devastating effect on two occasions when Carles Puyol's pace was exposed, but Robben was twice thwarted by Iker Casillas. Were outclassed in extra-time and after losing their cool a third World Cup final defeat will be the bitterest pill to swallow.

Spain verdict: Completely dominated possession but had few clear-cut chances to show for it, with a free header from Sergio Ramos and a David Villa strike that was deflected over the best opportunities in normal time. Demonstrated some excellent touches in midfield, with plenty of classy interchanges and never showed frustration when they couldn't break through. Defensively, they looked shaky when Puyol was dealing with long balls but after letting the Oranje back into the game in the second half, Spain upped their tempo in extra-time. The introduction of Fabregas injected some much-needed freshness into Vicente del Bosque's side and the winning goal was just reward for the team that unquestionably played the better football.

Could do better: Robin van Persie. A terrible tournament for Van Persie was epitomised by an anonymous performance in the final. Nothing was working for the Arsenal frontman against Spain, and he never seemed to have the ball under control. An early booking meant he always looked reluctant to chase back and even when he was played through by Sneijder and called offside, he missed an open goal after the whistle had gone.

Stat attack: The 14 yellow cards handed out in the match by referee Howard Webb is the record for most ever in a World Cup Final.


Iniesta struck with four minutes remaining to settle a tetchy encounter and crown Spain world champions, while Netherlands were left to rue Robben's missed opportunity to open the scoring in normal time.

The game will be noted for the flurry of cards - 14 in all - starting in the 14th minute when Howard Webb booked Robin van Persie.

Pretty soon combative midfield duo Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong joined him for challenges - a late lunge on Joan Capdevila and a kung fu kick on Xabi Alonso respectively - that could easily have ended their evening.

That Wesley Sneijder was not even cautioned for a similarly woeful attempt at stopping Pedro could only be put down to either Webb being unsighted or the Dutch playmaker diverting attention by claiming to be injured himself.

Spain were not complete innocents in all of this, but it was the European Champions who were feeling most aggrieved, which only intensified when Webb did not see a niggly second-half challenge from Van Bommel that sparked a reaction from Barcelona playmaker Iniesta.

It certainly made for unsightly viewing at times, but Vicente del Bosque's side did play some exquisite passing football at times, with Xavi and Iniesta helping Spain dominate possession. The best first-half chance fell to Sergio Ramos but his header from Xavi's cross was palmed away superbly by Maarten Stekelenburg.

Netherlands struggled to get into the game but in the second-half were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead; Spain skipper Iker Casillas making a quite brilliant save to deny Robben after the former Chelsea star had been set free by Sneijder.

Robben must have thought he had done everything right. Running at pace - past a stranded Carles Puyol - until he saw the whites of Casillas' eyes, he shaped to go one way, then placed his shot to the other corner. Casillas was committed in the other direction but stuck out a leg and turned the effort wide.

It was by some distance the best opportunity of the regulation 90 minutes, although Ramos had another decent opening himself heading umarked over the bar.

Robben threatened to sprint through again, only to be denied by Casillas, but losing possession did not come before Puyol had made a desperate grab for the Bayern Munich winger, who was convinced the Barcelona defender should have been sent off.

On as a substitute, with a point to prove after mustering the grand total of 93 minutes prior to tonight, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas twice came close to breaking the deadlock in extra-time, when Xavi also had a penalty claim turned down.

John Heitinga was sent off for his second yellow card when he pulled back Iniesta, giving Spain the man advantage, yet the Dutch held firm and looked like taking the tie to penalties.

However, Spain were not to be denied. Fabregas slotted it through to Iniesta and after one touch to control it, his second was a crisp volley past Stekelenburg.

Del Bosque's side held on and the final whistle saw euphoric scenes as Spain's ecstatic players celebrated an inaugural World Cup triumph.

Uruguay striker honoured

Forlan crowned player of tournament

July 11, 2010

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has won FIFA's Golden Ball award for the best player at the World Cup after finishing joint-top scorer at the tournament.


Forlan scored five goals as he led his country's charge into the World Cup semi-final, where they were beaten by Netherlands.

The Atletico Madrid striker netted two goals against South Africa and one apiece against Ghana, Netherlands and in the third place play-off against Germany.

Forlan finished in a four-way tie with Thomas Muller, Wesley Sneijder and David Villa for the Golden Boot with five goals - an award Muller took on a tie-break thanks to having more assists.

Forlan has attracted interest from a string of Europe's top clubs after helping Atletico Madrid to a Europa League triumph, and then Uruguay to fourth place at the World Cup.

After Uruguay's tournament came to an end the 31-year-old said: "It's been the best year of my career."

Spain's David Villa was second with Holland's Wesley Sneijder third.

Germany's Muller also picked up the Best Young Player award, while Spain captain Iker Casillas can add the Golden Glove award to his World Cup winners' medal.