Germany thrash England to enter quarterfinals

Germany crushed England by a 4-1 margin in Sunday's first pre-quarterfinals in Blomfontein at the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Miroslav Klose gave Germany the lead with a strike in the 20th minute. Lukas Podolski made it 2-0 in the 32nd.

England struck in the 37th with Matthew Upson. Next minute, Frank Lampard put the ball past the German goalkeeper.

The ball struck the bar and bounced inside the line but the Uruguayan referees officiating the game failed to spot the goal.

After half-time, Thomas Müller struck twice to boost the lead to 4-1.

This game would be followed by Mexico's clash with hot favourites Argentina in Johannesburg.

Uruguay and Ghana are the two teams so far which have made the quarterfinals at the Cup.

England, the 1966 champions, had a poor start to the Cup with two draws against USA and Algeria.

A timely win over Slovenia put them in the pre-quarters from Group C.

Germany began with a 4-0 win over Australia. They lost 1-0 to Serbia and then beat Ghana 1-0 to enter the Round of 16.