Thankfully it did not turn out to be a one goal game. Had the halftime score of Germany 2, England 1 stood throughout the second half, the validity of Germany's victory in the World Cup Round of 16 would have been forever questioned because of an awful non-call in the 38th minute when Frank Lampard's shot was ruled no goal.
But in the second half Germany came out strong and got two goals from Thomas Mueller to win going away.
"The disallowed goal in Bloemfontein should not disguise that Germany was superior on the field" wrote Rob Hughes in the New York Times.
Germany struck first when Miroslav Klose took a long punt from keeper Manuel Neuer up the middle and flicked the ball into the net with the outside of his right foot in the 20th minute. Lukas Podolski put Germany up, 2-0 12 minutes later and it looked as though the rout might be on.
But England drew within one in the 37th minute when Matt Upson headed in a cross from Steven Gerrard. Less than a minute later Lampard took a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced down more than a foot behind the goalline according to replays, with no goal called y the referee or his assistant.
The play is sure to renew calls for instant replay in soccer, especially at this level.
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