Germany powered into the World Cup quarterfinals by crushing England 4-1 Sunday in a match that will be remembered for the goal not awarded to Frank Lampard.

Thomas Mueller finished two quick counterattacks within four minutes in the second half to sink England's hopes of beating Germany at the World Cup for the first time since the 1966 final and send the English to their worst ever defeat at a final tournament.

Miroslav Klose broke the deadlock after 20 minutes for Germany and opened the goal flush in a highly-anticipated match.

Lukas Podolski doubled the Germans' lead in the 32nd minute. Although England pulled one back only five minutes later through Upston's header, Thomas Mueller made a double within three minutes after the break to put the victory beyond the reach of Fabio Capello's squad.

Seven minutes before halftime, Lampard's blasting shot bounced off the underside of the bar and landed about half a meter over the goal-line.

That reminded of England's highly controversial goal in the 1966 world cup final against Germany, which was awarded and helped England eventually lift the trophy on home soil. Ever since then, Germany have had the hex over the Three Lions at the World Cup, winning in 1970, drawing in 1982 and triumphing in the penalty shoot out in 1990.

Joachim Loew's side can now look forward with confidence to a quarterfinal meeting with either Argentina or Mexico, while England will go home to lick their wounds and reflect on yet another World Cup defeat by their old nemesis.