Frank Lampard ghost goal: How did officials miss England star's shot crossing the line?

Frank Lampard’s infamous ‘ghost goal’ vs Germany crossed the line 12 years ago today.

On June 27, 2010, in Bloemfontein, England looked to have saved their World Cup hopes by bringing themselves back level having trailed 2-0 to Germany during their round of 16 clash.

Die Mannschaft had put on an absolute masterclass in the opening half-hour in South Africa with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski looking to compound Fabio Capello’s miserable first tournament in charge of the Three Lions.

However, the dying embers of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ looked to have pulled something out of the fire when Matthew Upson pulled one back and Lampard look to have bagged another.

But we all know how that particular story ends with England ultimately being denied by the lack of goal-line technology, leaving the door ajar for Germany to eventually run away 4-1 victors.

Now, most fans would probably still argue that Germany would have gone on to win the game anyway even if Lampard’s goal had been given, but it nevertheless continues to bug England fans wondering: what could have been?

After all, the controversial incident proved crucial in FIFA’s eventual decision to introduce goal-line technology, which would be on display for the world to see at the following tournament in Brazil.

But even in a world where the Hawk-Eye technology was flat-out impossible to build, supporters would still be asking questions as to why the referee and linesman got the decision wrong on the day.

Besides, you can’t help wondering when you watch the replay of Lampard’s shot bouncing miles behind Manuel Neuer and over the line how the officials possibly managed to miss that there had been a goal.

And that very subject of confusion was only