In the game called “World War III”, none England or Germany was considered favourite. Everybody expected it to be close, but Germany was just brilliant. Sure, we can say they were helped out by the referee, who wrongly disallowed a goal of Lampard, whose effort crossed the goal line. After Klose and Podolski made it 2-0, England came back in the game thanks to a goal by Upson. Thomas Muller’s second half double gave Germany a convincing victory, letting everybody ask themselves why couldn’t Capello drive England further.
England used exactly the same side they used against Slovenia. Klose returned from his suspension and actually played very good, opening the score 20 minutes after the kick-off. The first chance of the game came from Mesut Ozil, “Germany’s Messi”, who sent a shot from a tight angle, denied by James. England had defence problems through the whole game, and Germany knew that. They were fast, playing pretty much on the counter and trying to surprise “The Three Lions”.
The first goal came from Klose, score in his third World Cup for Germany, having 12 goals (while the top scorer, Brazil’s Ronaldo, has 15). He beat Upson to the ball and sent a shot in the left of James. Few minutes after changing the scoresheet for the first time, the Poland-born player was close to do it again, but James saved well. It wasn’t Klose, but his partner from the attack line, the other player from Poland, Lukas Podolski, who scored after a pass from Thomas Muller. You must think it was over. Well, Thomas Muller didn’t even started…
Upson repaired his mistake from the first goal and reduced the difference after a corner taken by Gerrard. One minute later it happened something that we can call a controversial decision. No, abysmal decision. Jorge Larrionda didn’t showed the center of the pitch when Lampard’s lob passed Neuer and crossed the goal line by a lot. The Uruguayan decided to whistle the half-time few minutes after this, so the scoresheet looked like that at the brake: Germany 2-1 England.
The second half was a misery for Capello’s team. Muller started his show 20 minutes in the second half, putting the bal in the net after a counterattack by book. With only 20 minutes left in the game, Muller clossed the scoresheet, made it 4-1 and sent the Lions to sleep, and probably Capello in the English press’ mouth. I can’t see a funny week for him. England felt it’s over and only Gerrard had a chance in the last minutes of the game, but Nereu was at his place to deny Liverpool’s and England’s captain.
Germany is through and is going to play against the winner from Argentina and Mexico.
