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Miroslav Klose can become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history Saturday when Germany plays Uruguay in the third-place match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Klose scored five goals in both the 2002 and 2006 tournaments, and has scored four so far in five games in South Africa to move within one goal of Brazil's Ronaldo, who established the record of 15 goals four years ago.
The 32-year-old striker scored in Germany's World Cup opener, a 4-0 win over Australia, but played just 37 minutes in the last two group matches following a red card against Serbia.
Klose returned in the knockout round and had the first goal in a 4-1 win over England, and added two goals in a 4-0 win over Argentina in a quarterfinal to move within one goal of the record.
Germany's oldest starter in South Africa, Klose is currently tied with German legend Gerd Muller on the all-time scoring list with 14 goals. His pursuit may be in jeopardy, however, as he is reportedly battling a back injury that could keep him out of Saturday's match.
The Germans have advanced to the semifinals in the last three World Cups, beating South Korea in 2002 before losing to Italy in 2006 and now Spain this year.
Germany will try to end the tournament on a positive note with another win in the third-place match. Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in the consolation game four years ago. Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has been the midfield leader in South Africa, scored two goals in that match and created an own goal.
The Germans will definitely look to get Klose at least one goal, but 20-year- old Thomas Muller is also in the hunt for the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer.
Klose led the World Cup with five goals in 2006, and both he and Muller enter the match on four goals - one behind Spain's David Villa and the Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder.
Uruguay striker Diego Forlan also enters the match on four goals, but he left the 3-2 semifinal loss to the Netherlands with an apparent injury and may not play this weekend.
Forlan's strike partner, Luis Suarez, will return from his one-game ban after he saved Uruguay in its quarterfinal. Suarez used his hands to prevent Ghana from scoring late in extra time. Ghana missed the ensuing penalty and Uruguay won in a shootout, 4-2, to break a 1-1 tie.
Suarez also has a shot at the Golden Boot, or at least a share of the award. He has three goals, including two in the knockout stage.
Uruguay and Germany have combined for five World Cup titles. The Netherlands and Spain will battle for their first crown Sunday.