2010 World Cup: Germany v England half time report
Germany 2 England 1
A goal from Matthew Upson has given England hope of producing a comeback against Germany in Bloemfontein, but the first-half will be remembered for a Frank Lampard disallowed goal.
Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski handed the Germans a 2-0 lead, before Upson pegged them back. A minute later Lampard thought he'd scored an equaliser as his shot clearly crossed the line, only for the goal to inexplicably not be given.
Fabio Capello's side were handed an early scare when Germany's dangerman Mesut Ozil stole past the napping England defence and got his shot off on goal. Only a good save from the legs of David James kept the score level.
For the next 15 minutes, England were largely untroubled, but were also failing to threaten Manuel Neuer's goal.
If England's defence had managed to keep things tight since Ozil's chance, their hardwork was undone following an embarrassing example of how to defend at the top level.
A routine goal kick from Neuer sailed over the head of John Terry and was allowed to bounce straight to Klose. Matthew Upson failed to shrug off the German hitman, who slotted the ball low past David James.
The England goalkeeper had every right to be livid at his defenders, who were at sixes and sevens.
James then was forced to make a superb save on the half hour mark from that man Klose again, before another abysmal piece of defending from England allowed Podolski to double the Germans' advantage.
A ball over the top from Klose on the right flank beat the entire England defence, Thomas Mueller picked the ball up, laid the ball off to Podolski, who then proceded to beat James from an acute angle.
Just when the game seemed dead and buried, though, Upson provided England a timely way back into the match. A short-corner was played to Gerrard on the edge of the box, and his brilliantly whipped in ball was headed in by the towering centre-back ahead of Neuer.
And then came the moment which will be replayed over and over for years to come. A delightful chip from Lampard from 20 yards beat the German goalkeeper, hit the bar and clearly crossed the goalline.
However, the Uruguayan assistant referee on the far side failed to spot that the ball had crossed the line. England and their thousands of fans inside the Free State Stadium were left infuriated.
A chorus of boos greeted the match officials as they walked off the pitch, but Capello and England must forget the incident and play as they did in the final 10 minutes if they're to seal a quarter-final place.
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