German captain Michael Ballack knew his goal that set his nation on the way to victory over Wales on Wednesday should not have been allowed. And the Chelsea man has revealed he was aware that Wales had been denied a throw-in prior to his strike.

"Yes, I was told it was a Wales throw in prior to my goal. But that is the way things go sometimes in this game. And it is history now," Ballack said.

He added: "I did strike the ball well for the shot and I am very pleased with the goal.

"Wales played a very good game against us and made it tough without any doubt.

"They had not had a great game in their last time out against Finland and they wanted to improve on that, and I think they did that against us."