The nation expected every man to do his duty against Germany but it has to go down as one of the most woeful that any England as ever produced in their World Cup history and the fact its their heaviest ever defeat in these finals says it all. The writing was on the wall as early as the 4th minute when David James made a terrific save with his legs to deny a certain German opener.
England won a free kick 28 yards out in front of goal but Frank Lampard shot straight at the wall. Two minutes later the Germans took a lead with such an awful goal to concede. The keeper booted the ball down, the bounce caught out John Terry and Matthew Upson leaving Miroslav Klose to fire past a stranded James.
Wayne Rooney, again looking a pale shadow of himself just like he has through the finals, had a shot which went well wide. Gareth Barry did get in a shot that was actually on target, easily saved, but generally England were so awful and this was illustrated in the 23rd minute when following some more dismal defending, Podolki fired home from a narrow angle. When all hope seemed lost England pulled one back through Matthew Upson with a powerful header. England should have drew level before half time when Lampard's shot from the edge of the box went a yard over the line before the keeper recovered. It was only a yard over the line though. If ever there was a classic case for goal line technology to be introduced then this was it.
There was a mini purple patch for England early in the second half when a shot from Gerrard went just wide then Lampard struck the bar. Fabio Capello introduced Joe Cole for James Milner but seconds later Germany got a third and it was all over. A quick German break resulted in a 3 v. 3 situation and Thomas Mueller fired home. Just three minutes later the dangerous Mueller got his second and Germany's fourth.
Capello made a rubbish substitution in Emile Heskey on for Jermaine Defoe and later Shaun Wright-Phillips for Glen Johnson but it was all too little too late and the World Cup dream is over...for another four long years.
