England’s World Cup victory in 1966 was the nation’s greatest sporting achievement.
England's World Cup victory in 1966 was the nation’s greatest sporting achievement.
The squad had the benefit of home advantage, but their early tournament games were less than inspiring.
In the First Round group phase they scraped a 0-0 draw with Uruguay, struggled to put two past a poor Mexico side and ground out a dull 2-0 victory against France.
In the quarter-finals things did not get much better.
England’s match against Argentina was marred by the South Americans’ cynical fouling and the sending-off of their petulant captain Antonio Rattin.
But even with the Argentinians down to ten men, England struggled. Then with 13 minutes to go, West Ham’s Geoff Hurst headed home to put England in the semi-finals.
In the match against Portugal, England at last began to hit something approaching top form.
After half an hour Bobby Charlton put his side one-up — adding a second 11 minutes from the end.
Portuguese striker Eusebio scored a consolation penalty.
England were favourites to win the final. But the Wembley crowd were shocked into silence when West Germany scored after 13 minutes.
It took England just six minutes to draw level, though — Hurst heading home from a free kick taken by England and West Ham captain Bobby Moore.
At half-time it was 1-1.
The second half opened quietly, with neither side willing to take risks.
With less than 13 minutes left, West Ham’s Martin Peters scored after a corner.
But with less than a minute to go German defender Wolfgang Weber stabbed home an equaliser after a goalmouth scramble.
In extra-time England got the upper hand.
After 100 minutes, Geoff Hurst met a cross with a thunderous shot that sent the ball cannoning on to the underside of the crossbar and then bouncing down.
The jubilant England players raised their arms — but had the ball crossed the goal-line?
The referee was unsure, but his Russian linesman signalled a goal.
The desperate Germans now threw everything into attack, leaving themselves exposed in defence.
In the dying seconds Moore got the ball and put Hurst clean through.
TV commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, referring to the crowd encroaching on the pitch, said: “They think it’s all over”.
And as Hurst’s fierce left-foot shot hit the back of the net, he added: “It is now!”
England lifted the trophy. A year later team manager Alf Ramsey became Sir Alf.
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