Host nation Germany had the consolation of securing third place at the World Cup by defeating Portugal 3-1 in the play-off here on Saturday. Bastian Schweinsteiger was the hero, scoring two great individual goals and having a hand in the other when his fierce cross shot forced an own goal from Armando Petit.
The win gave the home fans something to cheer and the players celebrated on the pitch at the final whistle, but both losing semi-finalists will be green with envy when they sit down to watch Sunday's World Cup final in Berlin between France and Italy.
Jurgen Klinsmann, who is yet to announce if he will continue as Germany coach, was full of praise for his players.
"It is unbelievable what this team has achieved. Every one of them has worked so hard, I just can't find words for it," Klinsmann said.
He said he needed time to come to a decision about his future.
"So much has happened in last few weeks and I haven't taken it all on board yet. Give me a few days."
The third-place match was a day of fond farewells with Portuguese legend Luis Figo coming on in the 75th minute for his 127th and final international appearance.
Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn announced after winning his 86th cap that it was also his last game for his country. He had been dropped in favour of Jens Lehmann for the tournament but was recalled to make an emotional farewell in Saturday's game.
"It was my last international match today and I could not have wished for a better final game for my country," 37-year-old Kahn said.
"It was a great time, but you have to know when it is time to stop."
Hampered by injuries - including captain Michael Ballack - Klinsmann gave fringe players such a chance to experience the World Cup fever.
Portugal fielded their strongest side, minus the suspended Ricardo Carvalho, with Barcelona's Champions League winner Deco feeding Simao Sabrosa and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Germany started the better but the first opening fell to Portugal on the quarter-hour mark only for Pauleta to fluff his lines.
Germany's 21-year-old striker Lukas Podolski, voted best young player at the finals, then stung the palms of goalkeeper Ricardo with a free-kick.
Miroslav Klose, top-scorer at the finals with five, went close shortly afterwards but missed the chance to stretch his lead in the race for the golden boot.
France's Thierry Henry has three to his name and has Sunday's final to catch up Klose.
Germany finally took the lead on 56 minutes through Schweinsteiger.
The Bayern Munich midfielder, dropped from the starting line-up for the semi-final defeat against Italy, cut infield and hammered a swerving shot with his right foot that flew past Ricardo.
Five minutes later Schweinsteiger drove a fierce cross into the area and Petit deflected it into his own net.
Schweinsteiger struck again in the 78th minute with another terrific drive to cap a fine display.
Substitute Nuno Gomes pulled one back late on a dive heading in a brilliant cross from Figo but it was to be Germany's day.
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