#9 Frank Lampard’s ghost goal for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup
Bad luck once again haunted England in the 2010 World Cup. Faced with old rivals Germany in the second round, they had started badly, going down by two goals in the first half and it looked like it would be Germany’s game.
Suddenly though, the tide turned when defender Matthew Upson headed in a Steven Gerrard cross. It was 2-1 and now England were on the front foot, pressing for an equaliser against the shell-shocked Germans. Another attack led to a speculative shot from Frank Lampard from the edge of the box, and the ball flew over Manuel Neuer and hit the bar, appearing to bounce down into the goal.
Somehow, though, the referee and his linesman decided the ball hadn’t crossed the line – despite the replays showing that it was in by a massive margin. The first half ended with Germany in front and supposedly – after being shown a replay – the Uruguayan referee was horrified and asked, “oh my God, what have I done?”
Germany went on to win the game 4-1, clinically taking England apart, but going into half-time at 2-2 rather than 2-1 could’ve been the difference England needed to change things in the second half.
