Germany tops Portugal for 3rd place at Cup

Portugal and Germany were level 0-0 Saturday in the World Cup's third-place match.

Both teams created chances in the match between the semifinal losers.

Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn played his first World Cup game since the 2002 final, when his mistake opened the way for Brazil to win 2-0.

Portugal was playing without captain Luis Figo, who is expected to retire from international soccer after this World Cup. Germany played without captain Michael Ballack, who was sitting out because of a knee injury.

With Ballack absent, Kahn was captain on his 86th appearance. Figo was replaced by Simao Sabrosa on the Portugal wing, while Paulo Ferreira came in for injured Miguel at right-back, and Ricardo Carvalho's suspension meant defender Ricardo Costa got his first World Cup appearance.