British media paid a reluctant tribute to a victorious Germany but also blamed the referee and a "shameful" display by England after it lost 4-1 on Sunday in the round of 16 at the World Cup.

The Sun newspaper's website highlighted Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda's failure to award a first-half goal despite Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossing the line as England trailed 2-1.

"Franks for nothing - Nation mourns as Three Lions are mauled," read the headline above a photograph of the ball landing across Germany's goal line, accompanied by "Ur a useless referee."

The Daily Mirror referred to two-goal Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller in its website headline: "England Muller-ed by Germans ... and the ref." However, it then added: "Lampard has controversial goal disallowed but Germans deserve comprehensive 4-1 victory."

The News of the World, which led its website with the single word "Mullered", blamed what it called "England's shameful surrender" in Bloemfontein.

"Done for by the referee and then undone by their own defense," the paper said. "For all the revenge and bitter recriminations about the moment Frank Lampard's shot crossed the line, Fabio Capello's England team were outclassed."

The Guardian was only slightly more measured, saying that "Germany cruise to victory" after an England's "dismal and disjointed performance." Having described Germany's first goal as a "humiliation", it concluded its report by saying: "England, for all their exertion, had been a markedly inferior team."

The Daily Telegraph said England was shown the exit "after Germany expose defensive frailties in emphatic victory" while the Daily Express described the performance by Capello's side as "woeful."

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