World Cup 2010, England Vs. Germany: Germany’s 4-1 Win Leaves No Doubt

At halftime it looked as if a goal by Frank Lampard that was not allowed could define the match, but a second half brace from Thomas Müller eliminated any doubt as to which team deserved to go on. Germany is in to the quarterfinals after a 4-1 win over England, England’s worst World Cup loss of all time.

First half goals by Miroslav Klöse and Lukas Podolski had Germany up two after 32 minutes; however, a Matthew Upson header that beat Manuel Neuer, who had misjudged Steven Gerrard’s cross, pulled England within one.

One minute later, a Frank Lampard goal that hit off the crossbar and bounced behind the goal line was never allowed, keeping the match 2-1 at the halftime whistle, blown seven minutes later.

A strong start to the second half from England gave reason to think Lampard’s no-goal could prove important, but two counterattacks in the middle of the half gave Thomas Müller his second and third goals of the tournament (and his international career).

The first came in the 67th minute, when a counterattack after a Frank Lampard direct kick culminated with Bastian Schweinsteiger’s pass to the right of attack, Thomas Müller finishing from 15 yards out off David James’s elbow, inside the near post to make it 3-1.

Four minutes later, a counter started by Sami Khedira saw Mesut Ozil set-up an easy finish for Müller, capping the scoring at 4-1.

England is eliminated at the Round of 16, their earliest elimination since 1998, while Germany moves on the to quarterfinals for the 15th straight tournament, to play the winner of Argentina-Mexico next Saturday.