BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – Thomas Mueller scored twice in the second half this morning and England had a goal not awarded by the referee in a 4-1 victory that put Germany into the World Cup quarter-finals.

The 20-year-old forward finished two quick German counter-attacks within three minutes to sink England’s hopes of beating Germany at the World Cup for the first time since the 1966 final.

England was not helped by referee Jorge Larrionda waving play on even though Frank Lampard’s first-half shot landed well past the goal line after hitting the crossbar. Germany led 2-1 at the time.

Germany went up on goals by Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski before Matthew Upson pulled a goal back in the 37th minute.

On Lampard’s non-goal, after the ball landed inside the goal, it spun back into the arms of Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. England’s coach Fabio Capello initially celebrated what he thought was an equaliser by clenching his fists and shaking his arms. But his face changed when he realised the goal had not been given.

As the players walked off the field at half-time, Wayne Rooney walked over to the linesman who didn’t flag for the goal and gestured with his hands how far he thought the ball had crossed the line.

In 1966, England and Germany were 2-2 in extra time in the World Cup final when Geoff Hurst’s shot struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and spun back into play. That time, the referee consulted his linesman, who awarded the goal.

Hurst went on to score a third goal in England’s 4-2 victory at Wembley.

Germany plays the winner of Argentina-Mexico, which is later today.