England's uninspiring World Cup efforts came to a dismal end in Bloemfontein as Germany produced a youthful and exuberant performance to run out 4-1 winners. Goals from Miroslav Klose , Lukas Podolski and a double from Thomas Muller confirmed the superiority of Joachim Loew's team, and though Matthew Upson scored and Frank Lampard had a goal ludicrously ruled out, England's defence was exposed time and time again.

Full of promise from the moment the teams were paired together, the match delivered from the very beginning.  Wayne Rooney was a picture of rage when called offside four minutes in and as the action restarted with a Germany free-kick a fluid move saw Mesut Ozil find space and force a save from David James.  The German midfielder became a constant threat as his side found the better space, particularly down the right flank.

Chances were few and far between but Sammy Khedira blazed high and wide on 16 minutes and less than 60 seconds later England won a free kick 30 yards out. Frank Lampard took responsibility but his shot thundered into the wall.

That looked like signalling the beginning of a spell of England pressure as they settled into the game but Germany stunned them. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer hit a long goal kick and England allowed it to bounce. Miroslav Klose and Matthew Upson gave chase and as the England centre-back failed to shrug his opponent off the ball, Klose nipped in to poke a low shot beyond James.

England pushed forward and six minutes later a Gareth Barry pop for outside the box was well held by Neuer with Jermain Defoe and Rooney in close attendance.  Germany were still in the hunt for a second though and Klose tested James again on the half-hour mark.

On 32 minutes, Joachim Loew’s side doubled their lead. A quick exchange of passes in midfield sent Thomas Muller clear and when he raced into the box he unselfishly squared for Lukas Podolski instead of shooting.  Podolski’s first touch was poor, forcing him wide, but his second was lethal, an unstoppable low shot into the opposite corner from a narrow angle.

England could have been three or four goals down by that stage but with only two on the scoreboard they were determined to get back into the match. They made the breakthrough in the 37th minute.
A short corner caught the German defence napping and Steven Gerrard curled in a cross from deep. Upson rose unmarked to head into the corner and England were back in the match.
A minute later, they were left furious after a poor decision saw them denied an equaliser. Lampard cracked in a shot that bounced off the underside of the bar, over the line and out. The referee, Uruguayan Jorge Larrionda signalled no goal and had no help from his assistant Mauricio Espinosa. Neither will enjoy watching the replays that showed they made a huge mistake though it will make more painful viewing for Fabio Capello and his players.
Spurred on by a sense of injustice, England were more energetic than their opponents in the remaining minutes of the first half but Germany remained cool and held their lead at the break.
Neither side made changes at the break and the contest continued in similar fashion, England working hard to put pressure on and Germany remaining organised and dangerous when in possession.
Lampard was putting in his best performance of the World Cup so far and England looked the better side early in the half. However, Khedira and Ozil seemed constantly capable of finding ways to return the England defence and Klose was always likely to get on the end of something.
Gerrard had three optimistic long range shots before the hour mark but team play was always more likely to yield results than hopeful shooting from distance. Rooney and James Milner were coming into the game and were making Germany’s defence looked nervous for the first time. On 65 minutes though, Capello removed Milner from the action and sent on Joe Cole.
The winger had only been on the park for two minutes when England found themselves in an even deeper hole. Lampard hit a freekick straight into the Germany wall and Loew’s side broke rapidly. Schweinstiger was released down the left and he ran into acres of space before cutting inside and playing in Muller who was unmarked. The 20-year old’s shot was venomous and James could not keep it out.

At 3-1 England looked down and out and it quickly turned from bad to worse. Once again losing possession when playing at the edge of Germany’s box, a long ball saw Ozil racing Terry on the touchline. The young midfielder won by a distance, carried the ball half the length of the pitch and into the box, squared for Muller and a tap in made it 4-1.

The game was effectively over with 20 minutes left though Gerrard was denied a consolation by the fingertips of Neuer on 80 minutes. There was no need for Germany to chase a fifth with another match coming so soon and for England the game was well and truly up.

Muller, Klose and then Ozil were withdrawn in the only act of mercy Germany showed England and the introduction of Heskey for Defoe did not look like a game-saver.

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