Germany vs England

England’s World cup dream ended today in the second round at Bloemfontein as Germany were just too strong and tactically spot on.Capello did show a sense of consistency naming the same side that was victorious against Slovenia.It did take two games to get into the rhythm but the Nation was confident and eager to start of well.Unfortunately it was anything but as it took while for them to settle and control the opening minutes.Germany deservedly led with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski after just half-an-hour, but just before the break Matthew Upson headed home to give England some hope.But moments after Upson’s header, in a grim echo of Geoff Hurst goal that helped England to victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, Frank Lampard’s superb lofted finish landed feet over the line behind German keeper Manuel Neuer, an incident obvious to almost everyone inside the Free State Stadium.Replays almost instantly showed the ball was over a foot over the line, and England had been denied a clear goal.Fabio Capello celebrated in his dug out as his team talk was just about to change as England finally found thrie feet in what was an extremely slow start.Only to be stunned as Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his officials waved play on. England’s players and coaching team, including David Beckham, led vehement protests as the teams went off at half-time, but all to no avail and Germany made the most of their reprieve. The Germans will feel a measure of justice has been restored 44 years on, but this was of no consolation to the modern-day England as insult was added to injury by Joachim Loew’s gifted young side.After the break England pushed on and looked the more likely to score, but then with 20 minutes remaining, two devastating counter-attacks – both finished by Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller – sealed in the end a thoroughly deserved win for Germany.What had turned out to be an extremely good half of football in the first half for both nations turned into a one sided affair and the Germans who were the younger side played with much more maturity and discipline.

Mesut Ozil stole the show again today controlling the whole game as if he was directing a movie, showing signs of skill,intelligence and confidence to dismantle England.Steven Gerrard did excel as much as he could from the left sided position Capello insisted to play him in to accommodate Barry and the out of form Lampard and put in a captain performance in.However despite the controversy and the call for video technology England were the lowest scorers left in the competition prior to todays game and relied on their big stars who do perform like World Class players for their individual clubs but looked average on the World Stage.Players like Klose and Podolski had abismal campaigns with their club teams but have produced when the pressure was on for their country.One may argue what if Rio Ferdinand was fit?but did Rooney,Lampard,Barry,Heskey,Cole or lennon exist in this competition? Germany 4 England 1