Uruguay, Germany at 1-1 at halftime of third-place World Cup game

Uruguay, Germany at 1-1 at halftime

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Uruguay and Germany are tied 1-1 at halftime of Saturday’s third-place playoff at the World Cup.

Thomas Mueller’s fifth goal of the tournament gave Germany a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, sweeping the ball home after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s swerving shot was saved by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

The goal brings Mueller level with tournament leading scorers Wesley Sneijder and David Villa.

Edison Cavani hit back for Uruguay in the 28th when he broke clear after a pass by Luis Suarez and slid a shot past goalkeeper Hans Joerg Butt.

Suarez missed a golden opportunity to put Uruguay ahead just before halftime — as rain began to fall — when he dragged a right-footed shot just wide.