World Cup 2010: Germany 4-1 England - Defensive disaster as Klose, Podolski, Mueller & Co cut Three Lions to shreds

England have been knocked out of World Cup 2010 after losing 4-1 to Germany in their last 16 clash in Bloemfontein.

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Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski benefited from poor defending in the first half to give the Germans a 2-0 lead before Matthew Upson headed past Manuel Neuer to pull a goal back for the Three Lions. Frank Lampard then saw his superb chip from the edge of the area cross the line but a goal was wrongly not given by referee Jorge Larrionda.

Fabio Capello’s side began the second half well but were undone by two German counter attacks as Thomas Mueller fired home twice to send England out of the tournament.

Germany made just one change from their 1-0 win over Ghana on Wednesday. Miroslav Klose returned from suspension to lead the line, replacing the injured Cacau, while Jerome Boateng and Bastian Schweinsteiger started despite concerns over their fitness.

Despite hinting in his pre-match press conference that he may make one change, Fabio Capello stuck with the same starting line-up in successive matches for the first time during his reign as England boss, with Matthew Upson keeping his place at centre-back ahead of Jamie Carragher and Ledley King.

Oezil has been one of the stars of the World Cup so far, and he had the game’s first major chance. The Werder Bremen playmaker managed to race in front of Ashley Cole to latch onto a looping pass forward before trying to beat James at his near post with a sharp right-footed strike at goal, but the England 'keeper made himself big and turned the ball away.

Goal.com Top of the Match sponsored by Turkish Airlines Mesut Oezil Player Rating: 9 "The hero against Ghana was at it again...his dribbling and movement left the Three Lions for dead many times and he burst past Barry to square for Mueller and finish off the match completely."

Capello has been criticised for persistently selecting Gerrard to play on the left side of midfield, but he was at the heart of England’s attacks early on. He continued to come deep to receive the ball, dictate the tempo of the game and look to pick out Rooney and Defoe, who was almost found one-on-one with Neuer before the keeper raced out of his goal to claim the ball.

There were very little opportunities for either side in the opening 20 minutes but Khedira and Lampard both had half-chances to open the scoring. Khedira cut inside from the right past Barry and attempted an ambitious left-footed shot but it flew high and wide before Lampard was presented with a free-kick 25 yards out, but could only smash the ball into the wall.

England had conceded just one goal in the tournament before the game, but that tally was doubled on 20 minutes. Neuer’s long goal-kick downfield caused unnecessary problems for England’s defence and neither Terry or Upson attacked the ball, leaving Klose to shrug off the challenge of Upson before sliding the ball into the bottom right-hand corner past the onrushing James.

Barry looked to get his side straight back into the game a couple of minutes after going behind. The Manchester City midfielder received a pass 25 yards out from goal and tested the palms of Neuer, who was able to catch the ball under pressure from Gerrard and Rooney looking to convert the follow up.

Poor defending from England was the tale of the first half and they were undone again minutes later. Klose played a terrific chip down the right wing to find Mueller who benefited from slack defending once again to pick out the unmarked Podolski at the far post. The Cologne forward then fired the ball left-footed underneath James into the far corner.

Upson played a part in both of Germany’s goals but managed to pull a goal back for Capello’s men moments later. Gerrard was found in space on the edge of the area following a short corner to deliver a right-footed cross into the box and Upson climbed above everybody to head past a stranded Neuer into an empty net.

Goal-line technology has been the talk of football for years now and England should have benefited from it on 37 minutes. Lampard was left with plenty of space on the edge of the area to superbly chip the ball over Neuer, who had come off his line. The ball struck the crossbar and clearly crossed the line but the referee wrongly decided not to allow the goal, meaning the Germans reached half-time with their lead intact.


Germany were able to keep possession with ease for the next five minutes before Gerrard had a chance to pull a goal back. After a neat passing move, the England skipper picked up the ball on the edge of the area and jinked past a defender before firing towards the far corner and forcing Neuer into a decent save.

Wright Phillips was brought on late on for Johnson, who seemed to be struggling with a knock, but England couldn’t find a way back as they suffered their worst ever World Cup finals defeat.

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