Stuttgart, Germany ? This third-place game had meaning – for Germany, at least.

Germany's Lukas Podolski, left, and Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrate after the World Cup medal ceremony. Germany defeated Portugal, 3-1, on Saturday in Stuttgart, Germany, for third place.

Capping their jubilant World Cup run in style, the hosts defeated Portugal, 3-1, Saturday on two sensational goals by Bastian Schweinsteiger. He also set up the third, when his free kick was deflected in for an own-goal by Portugal’s Armando Petit.

Getting as far as the consolation game was an unexpected achievement for the young German team behind innovative coach Juergen Klinsmann. It was also a far cry from playing in today’s final in Berlin – that honor belongs to France and Italy.

But at least it gave the home fans one last chance to party, and they embraced the opportunity.

The Germans savored the celebration that followed, locking arms, waving flags and smiling beneath the popping lights of camera flashes and fireworks. The 52,000 sellout serenaded their national heroes for 20 minutes as players circled the field, highly visible in their white shirts long after Gottlieb-Damlier stadium was darkened.

“These are special moments,” Klinsmann said. “We told the players to soak them up.”

Schweinsteiger’s two goals were almost identical, and they energized the game – just as Germany has done for the country’s national pride.

In the 56th, he retreated from the corner of the penalty area on the left side and worked to the middle of the field, and from 25 yards launched the ball without rotation, a frozen blast beyond the reach of a leaping goalkeeper Ricardo.

Six minutes later, the midfielder – who didn’t start in the 2-0 loss to Italy in the semifinals – set up the own-goal as Petit deflected his free kick behind Ricardo.