Germany: O.Kahn, M.Jansen, J.Nowotny, C.Metzelder, P.Lahm, B.Schneider, S.Kehl, T.Frings, B.Schweinsteiger (T.Hitzlsperger 79), M.Klose (O.Neuville 64), L.Podolski (M.Hanke 71).

Portugal: Ricardo, P.Ferreira, M.Costa, F.Meira, N.Valente (N.Gomes 69), Costinha (Petit 45), Maniche, Deco, C.Ronaldo, Pauleta (L.Figo 77), Simao.

Match Report: Thank God this was only the 3rd place play off game. Imagine having to decide who you'd want to win if these sides were playing for something that mattered.

As it was we were able to support the Germans knowing that they weren't really gaining anything even if they did win.

Robert Huth ruined his big night by injuring himself in the warm up and giving the veteran Nowotny one more big night.

With little really at stake there was more football and less gamesmanship on show, especially from Portugal, but the old habits wouldn't completely die.

The game was open from the start but it was Germany who looked more likely scorers in the early stages. Metzelder knocked down a free kick for Kehl and his volley deflected just wide.

Klose led a promising break but with players better positioned inside he went for glory but could not find the target from a poor angle. Klose obviously had his eye on the golden boot and the team could come second tonight.

Frings also had a fine chance but his finish was that of a holding midfield player and did not trouble Ricardo.

Pauleta summed up his whole tournament with a feeble attempt to beat Kahn after being played into the area but it remained Germany having most sights of goal.

Ricardo had to move swiftly to tip over a clever lob from Kehl and the keeper also turned aside a strong drive from Podolski. The Germans were also having chance after chance from set pieces but were generally wasteful in their efforts.

Deco was just off target at the end of Portugal's best move of the half and Ronaldo sent a free header wide from Deco's corner. As the momentum shifted Simao was also presented with a glorious opening but his control let him down badly six yards out.

Ronaldo's running was providing a consistent feature of the first half and just before the break he had pubs up and down England roaring in derision as he again decided he would like to try and con the referee with an outrageous dive after beating two opponents.

There was no free kick but no yellow card either.

Half Time: Germany 0 Portugal 0

Simao sent a free kick over from 25 yards as the second half began in similarly open mode.

Then Ronaldo fed Pauleta in the box. The striker did well to make room for himself but then sent in another embarrassing finish which Kahn threw his cap on.

Suddenly Schweinsteiger, the man with the most German name of all time, showed everyone else on the pitch how it should be done.

Collecting the ball well away from goal he slipped inside a couple of challenges before rifling a missile towards goal. It should have been a simple save for Ricardo but the pace was too much for him and the ball ripped into the middle of his goal.

Inspired Germany poured forward and Lahm was unlucky with a sweet volley which flashed just over.

Germany finally profited from one of their free kicks just past the hour when Schweinsteiger's shot deflected off Petit to give Ricardo no hope of saving. Surely an own goal.

Portugal were desperate for something to show for their efforts and Ronaldo continued to lead the charge. Kahn made one fine full length save and had to punch out a fierce effort from the winger but in general Ronaldo's final ball left something to be desired.

Schweinsteiger then produced an absolute beauty. Easing away from Petit he sent a rocket scorching into the top corner with Ricardo a mere spectator.

Portugal continued their search for consolation. Ronaldo whipped in a cross which Metzelder sent speeding towards his own goal but, fortunately, straight at Kahn's legs and the keeper made a more conventional save to deny Ronaldo.

Neuville could have rubbed the Portuguese noses in it even more but flicked wide after good work by Hitzlsperger before Portugal finally got on the scoresheet right at the end.

Figo, on as a late sub, produced a pin point centre and Gomes, another replacement, made no mistake with his header.

All in all a good game, though one that only goes to show that the modern day footballer is governed far too much by fear and a win at all costs attitude.

When there is nothing tangible at stake we can watch a good open game of football. When it matters everyone is scared to come over the halfway line.

Full Time: Germany 3 Portugal 1

Germany: O.Kahn 7, M.Jansen 5, J.Nowotny 6, C.Metzelder 6, P.Lahm 7, B.Schneider 5, S.Kehl 7, T.Frings 7, B.Schweinsteiger 9 (T.Hitzlsperger 6), M.Klose 6(O.Neuville 5), L.Podolski 7 (M.Hanke 4).

Portugal: Ricardo 4, P.Ferreira 4, M.Costa 4, F.Meira 6, N.Valente 5 (N.Gomes 7), Costinha 5 (Petit 4), Maniche 6, Deco 6, C.Ronaldo 8, Pauleta 3 (L.Figo 7), Simao 5.

Referee: T.Kamikawa (Japan) 7
How easy is the 3rd place game to referee? They might as well have let Graham Poll do it.

Good:
Schweinsteiger's shooting boots.

Bad:
Ricardo's goalkeeping gloves.

Ugly:
One last time.....Ronaldo.