Germany humiliate England

Germany inflicted England's record World Cup finals defeat yesterday after a 4-1 victory in their last 16 match that was overshadowed by one of the worst refereeing mistakes in the tournament's history.

Germany's superior movement and ruthless finishing made them worthy winners on an afternoon when England's defending was shockingly sub-standard and their talisman, Wayne Rooney, once again failed to deliver on the game's biggest stage.

But there is no saying what would have happened if England had not been denied a goal that would have levelled the match at 2-2 just before half-time, when a Frank Lampard shot bounced off the underside of the bar and landed a yard over the goal-line. Matthew Upson had just headed England back into the match after Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski had given Germany a two-goal advantage.

Two second-half goals for Thomas Mueller enabled the Germans to run up their most convincing win against their biggest rivals, but they were both scored on the counter-attack as England sought an equaliser they should not have been obliged to chase.

Referee Jorge Larrionda's misjudgement was all the more inexplicable because he was well-placed to see the incident. Yet, after looking across at his linesman, he waved play on.

A television replay showed it clearly had by about a metre. Lampard had blasted the ball from about 20 metres out, beating German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

After coming down from the bar, it bounced out of the goal into Neuer's arms.

The incident drew comparison with the third England goal from Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final against West Germany, which Germans still say never crossed the line after his shot came down off the crossbar and has been debated ever since. England went on to win 4-2.

Former German referee Helmut Krug told German TV that England were denied a goal by the referee.

"That was an inexcusable mistake. The assistant should have seen that. It was clearly behind the line. An assistant should have seen that – without any instant replays."

Theo Zwanziger, German FA President, added in a German TV interview at half time he could see the ball had crossed the line from his seat on the stands.

"We've got to stick with the rules we've got. I can feel for the England fans and that they didn't like that [goal not allowed]. I could see from the stands that the ball was in the goal." The incident will enter the annals of the long rivalry between England and Germany.

It will also add fuel to arguments that Fifa should use video technology to help referees in contested situations.

Three-times champions Germany, whose speed and guile frequently bewildered a statuesque England backline, will now meet either Argentina or Mexico. Germany, a youthful side just coming to the boil under coach Joachim Loew, continue their record of having reached at least the last eight in every World Cup they have competed in since 1938.

England, having come to the tournament with high expectations under coach Fabio Capello, in contrast will head home with their reputations in shreds.

A litany of defensive errors enabled Klose to get on the end of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's upfield punt to give Germany the lead.

Wayne Rooney's poor form was underlined when he ballooned a shot towards the corner flag and a Gareth Barry drive was comfortably saved by Neuer.

Germany deservedly grabbed a second with Thomas Mueller doing the damage.

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