Uruguay, Germany 0-0 after 15 minutes of third-place match in Port Elizabeth

Uruguay, Germany 0-0 after 15 minutes

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Uruguay and Germany are at 0-0 after 15 minutes of the third-place playoff at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Germany pressed forward in the early stages Saturday and defender Arne Friedrich hit the crossbar with a header from a 10th-minute corner.

Diego Forlan had curled a free kick just wide three minutes earlier with Uruguay’s first effort on goal.

Germany made five changes to the team that lost to Spain in the semifinals, with striker Miroslav Klose, who is one goal short of the World Cup record of 15, not in the starting lineup because of a back injury.

Forward Luis Suarez returned from suspension as one of three changes for Uruguay.