GERMANY were controversially denied an early goal during their Euro 2024 round of 16 clash by English referee Michael Oliver.

Nico Schlotterbeck rose to head home Toni Kroos’ fourth minute corner, only for Oliver to blow up for a supposed foul by Joshua Kimmich.

Nico Schlotterbeck headed beyond Kasper Schmeichel

Joshua Kimmich was adjudged to have fouled Alexander Skov Olsen

Michael Oliver explains his decision to Ilkay Gundogan

Schlotterbeck, 24, wheeled away in celebration, with pandemonium in the stands.

Oliver broke German hearts, however, by adjudging Kimmich to have blocked off Alexander Skov Olsen, who has been trying to chase Schlotterbeck.

Many fans slated the decision, taking to social media to vent.

One fumed: “English refs ruining games as always.”

While a second moaned: “These English refs absolutely stink, this competition has made it very apparent to everyone else.”

A third posted: “England’s squad and the English refs seemingly having a competition to see who can stink up this tournament the most.”

Another added: “I see Michael Oliver is already trending less then 5 minutes into the game. The English refs never fail to disappoint, do they?”

In the 36th minute, Oliver was forced to take players off due to extreme weather.

Host city Dortmund was hit by a storm, with torrential rain, thunder and lightning.

Oliver allowed play to continue for around five minutes after the storm began, before stopping following complaints from players that it was not safe to continue.

Earlier in the week, weather experts warned of a potential tornado.

Meteorologist Dominik Jung told Bild: “From Saturday evening and into the night on Sunday, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms from the south west and west to the middle of Germany.

“These could bring extremely heavy rain, with amounts of between 40 and 80 litres per square meter within a few hours.

“Large hail with a diameter of around 3 cm is also expected, as are strong storm or hurricane gusts with speeds of between 100 and 140 km/h.

“Tornadoes cannot be ruled out either.”

After a few minutes of waiting by the dugouts, players were taken back inside.

Denmark went on to feel aggrieved in the second half, when Joachim Andersen had a goal disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

Things then went from bad to worse for Andersen moments later, when he conceded a penalty for handball following another VAR check.

Kai Havertz then converted the spot kick to put Germany into a controversial lead.

Fifteen minutes later, Jamal Musiala increased his team’s lead, and the hosts won 2-0.

Holland drew 0-0 with France earlier in the tournament, and Anthony Taylor and his referees came under fire for not allowing Xavi Simons’ goal.

Even though the ball zipped past Mike Maignan’s reach, he determined that Denzel Dumfries had interfered with play from an offside position.

The match was suspended due to a torrential downpour