Durban - For the third time in their World Cup history Germany has finished third after beating Uruguay 3-2 in Port Elizabeth.
The third place play-off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium took place under rainy conditions but ended up being a goal friendly game much to the delight of fans.
Germany, missing keys players in Captain Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, took the lead in the first half after Thomas Muller produced a straightforward strike.
Muller's 18 minute goal now makes him a joint leading scorer in the tournament.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was handed the Captains responsibility. Lahm and Podolski were both suffering from a virus while Klose had a back problem.
Klose was en route to possibly dismantling or equalling the World Cup record for most goals, held by Ronaldo of Brazil.
Ten minutes later Uruguay equalised courtesy of Edison Cavani and the score stayed at one all at the close of the first half.
Diego Forlan on magnificent form at the 2010 FIAF World Cup produced another delightful goal in the second half to give the South Americans the lead. Forlan's acrobatic volley contributed to his fifth goal in the competition.
But the Germans were not to be undone and Marcell Jansen's equaliser ensured that Uruguay only enjoyed the led for a mere five minutes.
The match looked like it was heading for extra time but Stuttgart midfielder Sami Khedira captalised on a Mesut Ozil corner to head in Germany's third and final goal in this tournament.
Forlan's last chance at goal came in extra time, but the ball hit the bar and the Germans held on for their bronze medal.
