Saturday evening sees the most pointless game in perhaps any sport as the losing semi finalists playoff for the meaningless title of finishing in ‘third’ place. Uruguay were predictably tired against Holland but stuck with it as Diego Forlan struck a brilliant goal to equalise and frighten the Dutch. Then a marginal offside decision went against them as Holland retook the lead and appeared to finish the game with a third goal. To Uruguay’s credit however, they fought on gallantly and Alvaro Pereira scored a late goal to ensure a grandstand finish. Ultimately however, Uruguay didn’t have the same threat without the suspended Luis Suarez.
Germany lit up the tournament with some wonderful football but as predicted in this page, they came unstuck against the slick Spanish side. They couldn’t come to grips with the speed and accuracy of the Spanish passing and were left chasing shadows for much of the evening though they could have had a penalty and Toni Kroos missed a glorious chance. Neither Bastian Schweinsteiger nor Mesut Ozil could put their stamp on the game and they exited tamely in the end. Yet this side is oozing with class and potential and will be a major threat for years to come.
The young German side are $1.80 to win this in 90 minutes and this looks nailed on. Even though they will be disappointed with their exit, their young players should rebound and show their class once more against a Uruguay side that looked tired and probably expended their last ounces of energy in the closing stages against Holland. The South Americans are $5 to win in 90 minutes but it is unlikely that they will have the heart to make a game of this. Look for the Germans to run out easy winners.
Verdict: Germany to emerge as easy winners