Oliver Kahn took off his gloves and threw them into the stands.

Germany's Oliver Kahn waves after their World Cup 2006 third place soccer match against Portugal in Stuttgart July 8, 2006.[Reuters]

Kahn had played another World Cup game and made it his last.

The 37-year-old, now only a backup in Germany's goal, was kept busy Saturday but got within two minutes of keeping a clean sheet in Germany's 3-1 win over Portugal in the third-place playoff.

"This was my last game for the national team today," Kahn told German television immediately after the game. "It was a beautiful time but you have to know when it's over.

"It was one of the most emotional, if not the most emotional moment that I can remember. You can hardly wish a for more beautiful final game."

Kahn got an ovation when he sprinted onto the field ahead of the team for the pre-game warmup. The first cross he caught got the crowd chanting his name.

After 15 minutes, Kahn did well to stop a close-range effort by Pauleta and, in the second half, diverted a long-range drive by Deco and punched out an attempt by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Kahn stopped an own-goal when his leg stopped a goal-bound header by defender Christoph Metzelder and moments later punched away Ronaldo's swerving, dipping free kick from 35 meters (yards). Luckily, no Portuguese were near to collect the rebound.

He was finally beaten in the 88th by Nuno Gomes' diving header off a cross by Luis Figo.

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