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England's Frank Lampard (R) and Wayne Rooney appeal to the referee after Lampard's shot, which video replays showed crossed the line, was ruled to have not crossed the line, during a 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Germany at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein June 27, 2010. [Agencies] |
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England's David Beckham indicates how far he thought Frank Lampard's disallowed goal went into the net, during a 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Germany at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein June 27, 2010. [Agencies] |
David Beckham, who is not in the squad because of injury but is traveling with the team, did the same.
The incident brought back memories of the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley.
England and Germany were level at 2-2 in extra time 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 and awarded the goal.
Hurst went on to score a third goal in England's 4-2 victory, but the Germans have disputed the goal ever since.
Although England was outplayed by the Germans on Sunday at Free State Stadium, the players were dejected by the goal that wasn't given.
"Obviously a disappointment because of the scoreline, but I think ... the sense of irony, the crucial moment was Frank's," England goalkeeper David James said. "Apparently it's gone clearly over the line. Given that we had a lot of pressure at the time, it would have put us in parity, would have gone into halftime in a much more positive mood.
"This essentially changed the game."
