World Cup 2010, England Vs. Germany: Germany Holds 2-1 Lead After Active, Controversial First Half

After a settling-in period, Germany’s speed and movement appeared too much for England, with the Nationalmannschaft taking a 2-0 lead after 32 minutes. But England quickly responded through Matthew Upson and Frank Lampard, though the latter’s tying goal will controversially not count.

As calls for goal line technology have grown over recent years, they will reach an ambulance’s howl after Frank Lampard’s 38th minute chip over German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer hit the crossbar and landed around one yard over the goal line. However, the goal was not allowed, leaving England down a goal.

That German lead was built on goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski. Klose’s goal, his 12th career World Cup tally, came as a goal kick of Neuer sailed over and through the England defense, allowing the German striker to tap home the opener past an oncoming David James.

Lukas Podolski’s goal came in the 32nd minute, with the left winger finishing into the far netting past James when the goalkeeper tried to meet the attacker eight yard out, to the left of goal.

England came back five minutes later, when a cross from Steven Gerrard found the head of Matthew Upson, who head the ball into a goal vacated by Neuer, who failed to come off his line in time to meet the ball.

But England, who went into half having held 62 percent of the possession, will remember the goal that wasn’t before Upson’s goal, with Lampard’s neglected score leaving the Three Lions down 2-1 at halftime.