World Cup: Match 51 - Germany vs. England

England's loss--no, unraveling--against the ruthless Germans was somewhat of a consolation prize after the United States' elimination at the feet of Ghana the day before. I started watching at 2-1 and got to see two beautiful German goals. For the first I have to give half the credit to Bastian Schweinsteiger, whose cunning diagonal dribble toward the goal-box cut off a defender racing back to help out. The second half goes to Thomas Mueller who smashed it past a wrong-leaning David James. But the fourth goal was all Mesut Oezil, who absolutely burned Gareth Barry down the sideline, despite the latter having a 10-yd head start.

After the game, which looked like a smashing victory of Germany, I learned of England's controversial goal, or, rather, the controversial refereeing that missed the obvious goal. Although I can definitely commiserate with England, but the onus is still on them. When the referee denies you a goal, the soccer gods shift their favor to you. The injustice ignites your fans. And the feeling that you deserve better should quicken your soul, should make your attack relentless until the injustice is righted. The US played that way against Algeria. England did not play that way against Germany. Instead, their spirits fizzled and died out.

The English coach claimed, "The goal was very important...we could have played a different style." What style is that? Defensive? Holding out for penalty kicks? Why? England are 0-3 in World Cup penalty kick shootouts. One of those was in a semi-final against Germany in 1990. They lost to Germany again in PKs in Euro 1996.

Dare I say, I don't think that goal would have helped England in the end...Germany are far too scary for that, far too fast without (that scrub) Michael Ballack.

FUNNY COMMENTARY:

"England for the moment looking shell-shocked."
"They've been outclassed, Martin."

"This is almost like a school team to let in a goal like that."

"Do you think it helps that Ballack's injured?"

"Why did the Germans win."
"They were quicker...stronger...more intelligent." - Jurgen Klinsmann