London - The English flag hoisted over British Prime Minister David Cameron's Downing Street office for the World Cup was lowered on Monday, hours after the nation's crushing 4-1 defeat by Germany.

"It's been replaced by the Union flag," a Downing Street spokesperson said, referring to the red, white and blue standard which normally flies above the central London address and represents the whole of the United Kingdom.

The change was made "early this morning", after England's World Cup dreams were shattered in Bloemfontein on Sunday by arch-rivals Germany.?

Cameron had ordered the red and white flag of Saint George, England's patron saint, to fly above his residence to show support for Fabio Capello's squad.

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