Controversy never fails to avoid England and their World Cup campaigns and this one was no different when they faced Germany in Bloemfontein.
Germany got off to a bright start and with just twenty minutes gone Klose beat a sluggish Upson to the ball before slipping it past James to put the Germans 1-0 up. England had more of the possession but the Germans had the chances and after thirty minutes Podolski smashed the ball through the ‘keeper’s legs for the second.
England were deflated and staring defeat in the face but five minutes later Matthew Upson redeemed his defensive mistakes by scoring at the other end to make it 2-1. Then came the moment that will be talked about for years to come, with England on top Lampard chipped the Goalkeeper, the ball came down off the underside of the bar, bounced over the line – by a clear yard – and then spun out. Lampard and his teammates were celebrating the goal as was the whole stadium and the vast majority of fans at home who had seen the ball blatantly cross the line, but the referee and his officials were apparently the only ones who hadn’t seen it and the goal wasn’t given.
In the second half Lampard thudded a Freekick off the crossbar, but with twenty minutes left, as England pushed everyone up in search of an equalizer, Germany raced away down the other end and scored, with Muller smashing the ball into the net. A deflated and attacking England were hit on the counterattack again moments later as Muller scored his second and Germany’s fourth.
A crushing defeat for England in a game that could have been so different but for a crucial mistake by the officials. A young Germany side, who weren’t given much of a chance by the pundits, played well and took their chances. They now move into the Quarter Finals whilst England head home.
Argentina play Mexico tonight with more tempting games coming up in the next few days. Be sure to check out the Newsblaze predictions