Host nation Germany have the consolation of winning the third place play off match against Portugal. This is, of course, in addition to the consolation of Lukas Podolski being named young player of the tournament, and the consolation of Miroslav Klose almost certainly winning the golden boot. The night belongs to the young German, Bastian Schweinsteiger. His bold second half performance resulted in two stunning goals by the German left winger, and a sizzling free kick which led to Germany’s other goal. Portugal made a game of it, and scored a consolation goal late on, in the consolation match!

A penalty from Zinedine Zidane was enough to send France into the world cup final, and leave Portugal to slug it out against Germany in the third place play off match. Unlike yesterdays semi final, this match was far from engrossing, with neither side playing the game at a particularly high tempo. Zinedine Zidane will now play his last ever competitive football match in the world cup final, which is a fitting end to a magnificent career of a magnificent player. This defeat for Portugal also ends manager Scolari’s impressive run of 12 consecutive wins in World Cup matches.

Portugal are through to the second round of the World Cup for the first time since 1966 as they comfortably beat Iran 2-0. This result also ensures that Iran won’t be going through to the last 16. A wonderful long ranged strike from Deco and a well placed penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo were enough to give Portugal their second consecutive win in the tournament, and their coach Luis Felipe Scolari his ninth consecutive win in the World Cup, having guided Brazil to victory in all of their seven games in 2002.