England's World Cup ended in a mixture of humiliation and controversy as they were thrashed by Germany in Bloemfontein.
Germany's deserved win and convincing victory margin will be overshadowed forever in the minds of Fabio Capello and his squad by a moment they believe robbed them of the hope of reaching the last eight.
Matthew Upson had thrown England a lifeline just before half-time after a vastly superior Germany had taken a stranglehold on the game with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
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.
Wayne Rooney entered this World Cup as one of the three top players, behind Messi and Ronaldo. He failed to deliver. Again today he looked sluggish, unwilling to close down players and disillusioned.
He must go home, rest and find his form at Manchester United under a manager he respects.
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