There was a first full game of the World Cup for Paulo Ferreira on Saturday evening in Stuttgart but Robert Huth missed out having been struck by injury in the warm-up.

Ferreira was drafted into the Portugal starting line-up for the third-place play-off against Germany following an injury to regular choice Miguel of Valencia, but the Chelsea right-back was destined to end on the losing side.

It was a goalless first-half, Ferreira playing a key part in an early attack with a forceful run down the wing, but then Germany powered into a 3-0 lead after the break. Two goals were scored by Bastian Schweinsteiger, the first cutting in from the flank Ferriera was patrolling and shooting from distance. The other German goal was the result of Petit deflecting a free-kick into his own net.

Ferreira was booked in second-half for bringing down Lukas Podolski and played the last 20 minutes at left-back. Portugal pulled a goal back late on when Nuno Gomes headed in a Luis Figo cross.

Ricardo Carvalho was suspended for Portugal but Robert Huth was set to start his second game for the host nation before his misfortune. Chelsea's departing defender's World Cup was limited to 90 minutes against Ecuador. Michael Ballack was out injured for the tournament's penultimate match.