It was a goal.
We all instinctively knew this at the time, watching in our homes or down the pub as Frank Lampard’s looping effort sailed over Manuel Neuer, hit the underside of the crossbar, then bounced down at a 70 degree angle.
On June 27th, 13 years ago, with England trailing Germany by two goals to one in their last 16 clash at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the free-scoring Chelsea midfielder had just pulled the Three Lions level and consequently Fabio Capello raised his arms in celebration on the touchline while half of the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein jumped from their seats.
In commentary, Guy Mowbray – as measured and consummate a narrator there is – momentarily forgot himself at the sight, resorting to the most basic language of a football supporter. ‘Get in,’ he screeched, his voice ascending several octaves.
Yet while Mowbray, along with 40,000 spectators in the ground, clearly saw the ball land a full yard over the line, as well as millions of us back home, two men failed to see its true trajectory. Alas, they were the only two men that mattered.
To the right, level with the edge of the penalty area and monitoring any possible offside, assistant referee Mauricio Espinosa didn’t see anything beyond Lampard striking the ball. If this explains his ignorance, it absolutely does not excuse it.
In the middle of proceedings meanwhile, referee Jorge Larrionda was still mentally assessing a late challenge made by Jermain Defoe an instant prior to Lampard firing from range. The subsequent shot flew to its destination entirely in his periphery.
Which meant that the ball bounced up into Neuer’s grasp, the German keeper cleverly and purposely acting as if he’d merely encountered a close shave and play continued.
To the bemusement of Mowbray and the utter exasperation of the England players, play continued.
It was only when a resulting German attack led to a shot whizzing wide of David James’ post that we all came to our senses, allowing us to take stock of the madness that had just occurred. Allowing the anger to flood in.
That anger only intensified when the break in play facilitated a replay, it showing beyond all doubt that the ball had bounced fully over the goal-line.
“It’s so far in,” cried a dejected Mowbray, his words accompanied by a drawn-out gasp from Mark Lawrenson on co-commentary duties. “Thank you very much Sepp Blatter,” Lawro concluded.
The ironic gratitude alluded to a decision taken by FIFA just four months ahead of the World Cup taking place that summer, when the governing body forwent the opportunity to introduce goal-line technology at the tournament.
It was fit for purpose. It was good to go. FIFA however, decided to hold back for a while.
Which meant for England a heart-breaking moment of injustice while for their opponents it was probably seen as karma for their own World Cup goal-line controversy 44 years earlier.
Yet though the gaffe still rankles it should at least also be acknowledged that any follower of our European football tips back then would have been acutely aware this was a very decent Germany side coming up against a fairly ordinary England one.
Die Mannschaft were already a goal to the good and comfortably went on to win 4-1.
Granted, the football odds can always be over-turned, and granted, Lampard’s ‘ghost goal’ drew the Three Lions level. But they would very likely have lost regardless.
It is scant consolation. In fact, it’s hardly consolation at all, but let’s just keep telling ourselves that, if only to stay sane.
