Bloemfontein, June 27 (DPA) Germany demolished England 4-1 Sunday in the first titanic clash of the 2010 World Cup, one that will long be remembered for an England ‘ghost goal’ that is set to reignite the debate over the use of technology in football.
Germany, despite being by far the younger side, comfortably won here courtesy of goals from Miroslav Klose – his 50th for Germany – Lukas Podolski, and a brace from Thomas Mueller.
Germany will play either Argentina or Mexico in a quarter-final match in Cape Town Saturday.
England were on target with defender Matt Upson and could have gone 2-2 in the 38th minute had Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his assistants seen Frank Lampard’s finish bounce comfortably beyond the goal line after hitting the crossbar.
It was a goal reminiscent of Geoff Hurst’s infamous ‘ghost goal’ during England’s victorious 1966 World Cup final against Germany in Wembley.
