England 1966 | Final Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 96,924 England goals: Geoff Hurst (18, 101, 120), Martin Peters (78) West Germany goals: Helmut Haller (12), Wolfgang Weber (89)
Coach: Alf Ramsey Starting XI: Gordon Banks; George Cohen, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Ray Wilson; Alan Ball, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton, Martin Peters; Geoff Hurst, Roger Hunt.
Coach: Helmut Schon Starting XI: Hans Tilkowski; Horst-Dieter Hottges, Willi Schulz, Wolfgang Weber, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger; Franz Beckenbauer, Wolfgang Overath, Helmut Haller, Lothar Emmerich; Uwe Seeler, Siegfried Held.
6 England wins 1 draw 0 West Germany wins
England’s ‘wingless wonders’ were almost impregnable on their way to the final. It took until the 82nd minute of their semi-final against Portugal before they conceded a goal – and even that was from the penalty spot. They won that game 2-1, with Bobby Charlton netting a fabulous brace. Coach Alf Ramsey had been dealt a significant blow in their final group game – a 2-0 win over France – when first-choice striker Jimmy Greaves suffered an injury. Geoff Hurst would replace him for the Three Lions’ knockout-phase games.
West Germany kicked off the tournament in scintillating style, with 20-year-old Franz Beckenbauer starring in an emphatic 5-0 victory over Switzerland. They went on to qualify for the knockout phase as group winners and underlined their title credentials with a 4-0 quarter-final trouncing of Uruguay. The brilliant Beckenbauer then scored the match-winning goal as the Soviet Union were beaten 2-1 in the last four to book a tantalising final showdown with the host nation.
England and West Germany played out an all-time classic filled with astounding quality, drama and controversy. The Three Lions had looked headed for victory within 90 minutes, with goals from Hurst and Martin Peters turning the match on its head following Helmut Haller’s early opener. With a feverish home crowd getting ready to party, West Germany dug deep and scored a last-gasp equaliser, Wolfgang Weber scrambling home to send the game to extra time.
England then forged ahead again just after the 100-minute mark, and in circumstances which are still debated to this day. Hurst’s rising drive bounced down off the underside the bar, but it was not instantly clear whether the ball crossed the goalline. The goal was eventually awarded, however, after a consultation between referee Gottfried Dienst and linesman Tofiq Bahramov, much to the dismay of the protesting West Germans. England were within touching distance of immortality, and Hurst put the result beyond any doubt in the game’s dying moments, surging clear before hammering a shot beyond goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski. England had their maiden world crown, and Hurst had become the first player to net a World Cup final hat-trick.
“Alf Ramsey was waiting for us beyond the edge of the grass [at the end of the game], as full of joy as anyone would ever see him. He and 'Mooro' – Bobby Moore – embraced. I was too dazed and weary to muster more than a knackered half-handshake. At 24 years old, it was the start of a lifetime of being hailed for the events of a single afternoon.” Geoff Hurst, England striker
“I had no fears after 90 minutes or during the whole of the game. It was not generally appreciated that the English players were good players. I said it would take a great side to beat us, because we are a great side.” Alf Ramsey, England coach
“We were not the favourites. It was a pleasure for us to reach the final and we were proud that we were able to extend that England team to the limit. We were able to go back home to Germany with our heads held high.” Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany midfielder “Directly after the match we didn’t discuss their third goal, we were just disappointed that we didn’t perform better to have won it in the end. England was a worthy world champion, a great team which won a great final, but we made it pretty hard for them.” Wolfgang Weber, West Germany defender
Geoff Hurst remained the only player to score a World Cup final hat-trick for some 56 years. Kylian Mbappe eventually equalled the feat with his treble in the Qatar 2022 final.
Bobby Moore made two assists in the match. The only other player to record multiple assists in a World Cup final was Pele, who set up two goals in 1970.
Helmut Schon still holds the record for most World Cup matches as coach: 25.
An estimated 400 million people watched the final on television. This match was reported to have had the biggest global television audience since Winston Churchill's funeral.
The BBC’s Kenneth Wolstenholme delivered one of football’s most iconic pieces of commentary for England’s fourth and final goal of the game. “Some people are on the pitch! They think it's all over,” he exclaimed as Hurst bore down on goal. When the striker hammered the ball into the net, he provided the perfect dénouement: “It is now.” His words have been frequently repeated in popular culture since, and even inspired the title of a long-running British TV sports quiz.
Ursula Banks, the wife of England goalkeeper Gordon, could have been forgiven for having split loyalties on the day of the final. She was from West Germany, but stated before kick-off: “I shall be torn, but I’ll be rooting for England.”
Sources: FIFA Official
