Tuncay scored the opener for Turkey

Turkey claimed third place in the Confederations Cup after a hard-fought victory over Colombia in St Etienne.

The irrepressible Tuncay Sanli fired Turkey into an early lead, capitalising on some sloppy Colombian defending.

But Colombia hit back after the break and Giovanni Hernandez applied the finish to a sweeping move.

The game seemed set to go into extra time before Okan Yilmaz scored a superbly-taken winner to give Turkey the bronze medal.

The game was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe, who died suddenly during Thursday's semi-final with Colombia.

Given the tragic events leading up to the match, the fight for third place was further stripped of any sporting significance.

Cameroon star dies

Colombia captain Ivan Cordoba admitted that his team had lost all interest in the tournament following Foe's death.

KEY INCIDENTS 2 mins: Tuncay fires Turkey into the lead 63 mins: Giovanni Hernandez equalises for Colombia 86 mins: Okan Yilmaz puts Turkey back in front

And Colombia's understandable loss of concentration was immediately evident as they conceded a goal in the second minute.

Their goalkeeper, Oscar Cordoba, made a complete hash of a clearance which was then compounded by Ruben Dario Velasquez's attempted headed backpass.

The impressive Tuncay pounced onto the loose ball and smashed it unerringly past Oscar Cordoba in the Colombia goal.

Volkan Arslan showed some deft touches for the Turks, who persistently harried the Colombians, and threaded through a sumptuous ball for Tuncay.

However, the Fenerbache forward was unable to apply the finish that the pass deserved and another chance went begging.

Turkey coach Senol Gunes fielded an inexperienced defence and apart from set pieces, Colombia, who shaded possession, did not give them a serious examination in the first half.

Mario Yepes twice went close for the South Americans just before half time, with Turkey's Serkan Balci making a decisive goalline clearance to deny the Colombia defender.

After the interval, Colombia increased the tempo and were unrelenting in their search for an equaliser.

And Victor Aristizabal should have restored parity but contrived to hit the post when it looked easier to score.

Aristizabal (right) missed a sitter for Colombia

The Colombia striker opted for the spectacular instead of the simple and crashed his shot against the woodwork.

But the Colombians' extravagance soon paid off and it was no less than they deserved.

Velasquez made an important interception deep in his own half and ran the length of the pitch.

He appeared to have overplayed the ball, but won it back and played an neat one-two with Giovanni Hernandez, who showed superb to control to convert from close range.

The game edged ever closer to extra time as both sets of players tired, but Colombia were once again punished for carelessly squandering possession.

Tuncay picked out Okan on the edge of the area and the midfielder effortlessly passed the ball past Oscar Cordoba to hand Turkey victory.

Colombia: Oscar Cordoba, Gonzalo Martinez, Mario Yepes, Ivan Cordoba, Gerardo Bedoya, Jairo Patino, Jorge Lopez, Giovanni Hernandez, Ruben Dario Velasquez, Victor Aristizabal, Elson Becerra.

Turkey: Omer Catkic, Fatih Sonkaya, Servet Cetin, Deniz Baris, Ibrahim Uzulmez, Gokdeniz Karadeniz, Volkan Arslan, Serkan Balci, Ibrahim Toraman, Tuncay Sanli, Necati Ates.

Referee: Mark Shield (Australia).