Germany's latest World Cup victory over England will be remembered not for any of the brilliant goals, but for the one that didn't count as another referee is under scrutiny again.
Combo shows Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer looking at the ball that hit the bar to bounce over the line during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Germany and England at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Sunday, June 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)Thomas Mueller scored twice in the second half Sunday and England had a goal not awarded by the referee in a 4-1 victory Sunday that put Germany into the World Cup quarterfinals.
The 20-year-old forward finished two quick German counterattacks within 3 minutes to sink England's hopes of beating Germany at the World Cup for the first time since the 1966 final.
England was not helped by referee Jorge Larrionda waving play on even though Frank Lampard's first-half shot landed well past the goal line after hitting the crossbar. Germany led 2-1 at the time.
"It was one of the most important things in the game," England coach Fabio Capello said. "The goal was very important. We could have played a different style.
"We made some mistakes when they played the counterattack. The referee made bigger mistakes."
Germany went up on goals by Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski before Matthew Upson pulled a goal back in the 37th minute.
On Lampard's non-goal, after the ball landed inside the goal, it ball spun back into the arms of Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Capello initially celebrated what he thought was an equalizer by clenching his fists and shaking his arms. But his face changed when he realized the goal had not been given.
As the players walked off the field at halftime, Wayne Rooney walked over to a linesman and gestured with his hands how far he thought the ball crossed the line.
In 1966, England and Germany were 2-2 in extra time in the World Cup final when Geoff Hurst's shot struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and spun back into play. That time, the referee consulted his linesman, who awarded the goal.
Hurst went on to score a third goal in England's 4-2 victory at Wembley.
Germany plays the winner of Argentina-Mexico, which is later Sunday.
"We were aggressive from the first minute and it was a deserved victory," Klose said. "Our target was to reach the semifinals and that's what we want to achieve."
Mueller scored on the counterattack in the 67th minute, having started the move after a long clearance by Jerome Boateng. Mueller passed to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who patiently dribbled upfield and ran across the 18-yard line to feed the unguarded Mueller. His shot hit the hand of England goalkeeper David James and went in.
Three minutes later, Mueller struck again after a break on the left wing by Mesut Oezil.
"We played I think well at 2-1, but after the third goal it was a little bit disappointing," Capello said. "Germany is a big team. They played a good game."
Klose scored his 50th goal in 99 games for Germany — his 12th World Cup goal — by outmuscling defender Upson to a bouncing ball off a goal kick. Podolski gave the three-time champions a 2-0 lead, putting the ball through James' legs.
Upson headed in a cross from Steven Gerrard to make it 2-1, then Lampard's shot was not rewarded — a decision sure to be debated for as long as international soccer has no video replay.