Flashback: England's World Cup glory
England made history – something the Three Lions are yet to recreate – on this day in July 1966.
Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick and Martin Peters’ controversial goal – debate still rages about whether it crossed the line – saw off West Germany 4-2 and won the World Cup for the hosts.
“You’re not aware of the enormity of the situation or what you’ve achieved as you’re just down there playing,” said Hurst.
A packed Wembley – with 96,924 fans cramming into the stadium – watched West Germany take the lead through Helmut Haller.
Hurst levelled in the 18th minute with Peters making it 2-1 after his shot hit the bar and was ruled to have crossed the line with 12 minutes left.
Wolfgang Weber equalised with a minute left to send the game into extra-time but Hurst struck twice to win the Jules Rimet trophy for England.
It sparked celebrations on the pitch with skipper Bobby Moore being held aloft with the World Cup.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.
Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Thank you,
Alistair Bushe
Editor