The missed goal line call was the chief topic of conversation following Germany's 4-1 thumping of England in their World Cup Round of 16 match on Sunday.
"It was one of the most important things in the game," England manager Fabio Capello said following the match. "The goal was very important. We could have played a different style."
Capello was referring to Frank Lampard's 38th minute shot which struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced inside the goal by at least a foot. Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his officiating crew did not see it the same way and the potential equalizer never counted.
"We played well at 2-1, at 2-2, and if it was a draw, that would have been very important for us," Capello said. "We could have played a different style ... I cannot understand why we can't have a fifth referee watching this game, why we have to talk about things like this.
"Germany are a good team, the referee made a big mistake, we got caught on counter-attack, this is football," he continued. "Little things decide the results always."
England's captain, however, was not about to use the missed goal line call as a crutch.
"I think it had an effect but we cannot use that as an excuse with being beaten 4-1," said captain Steven Gerrard. "That would have been a big goal for us. It's all ifs and buts. Germany are a fantastic team and they deserved their win."
The Germans acknowledge that the the equalizer should have stood and that the game could have changed.
“We clearly controlled the game until England’s goal, then there was a short critical phase,” said Germany manager Joachim Loew. “What I saw in the television this ball was behind the line, it must have been given as goal.”
The play, which was reminiscent of Geoff Hurst's game-winning goal in the 1966 World Cup, will mar what was otherwise a majestic performance by the young German squad. They showed off the same attacking brand of soccer which they displayed in the group stage, when they were tabbed by many as early tournament favorites.
“It was a grandiose performance by our young team against a very good, experienced England team,” Loew said. “It was first class and a lot of fun to watch.”
Germany maintained their quarterfinal streak at the World Cup which dates back to 1954. They next face either Argentina or Mexico in a quarterfinal to be played on July 3 in Cape Town.
“Our target was to reach the semifinals and that’s what we want to achieve,” said Miroslav Klose, who tied Pele with his 12th career World Cup goal, the fourth most in the history of the tournament.
“At this World Cup, everything is possible,” said midfielder Thomas Mueller, who scored a second-half brace. “It’s a very difficult opponent waiting for us, either Argentina or Mexico. In the end, it doesn’t matter. You’ve got to beat them all.”
