England’s players and supporters would probably rather forget the first two matches of the campaign in South Africa. In the last 60 years, England have contributed to some many classic World Cup encounters. In a bid to evoke some fonder memories of past achievements, here’s a list of some of the most memorable matches, one which Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard will be looking to help England add to this time around.
’86 England v Poland, 3-0
England had to endure a torrid start in Mexico when Ray Wilkins picked a suspension and Bryan Robson a tournament-ending injury. They went into the final group game with Poland in need of a result and, having failed to score against Portugal and Morocco, it looked as though Bobby Robson might drop Everton striker Gary Lineker. But Bobby Robson stuck to his guns and kept faith with Lineker, who duly tore Poland apart with a devastating hat-trick. The striker’s third after just 34 exhilarating minutes sent England’s fans into raptures in Monterrey.
’66 England v W Germany, 4-2
Famous for Kenneth Wolstenholme’s oft-quoted commentary, Tofik Bakhramov’s hotly debated decision to award Hurst’s second goal and, of course, the iconic image of Bobby Moore lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy, the final in 1966 certainly lived up to its billing. Alf Ramsey’s team fought back from an early goal and were leading 2-1 when the West Germans equalised in the dying minutes. Cue extra-time and ‘that goal’. Having lost his marker with a neat turn, Geoff Hurst’s shot from the edge of the six-yard box bounced off the underside of the bar and was adjudged to have crossed the line. Hurst completed his hat-trick to seal England’s first, and only, World Cup triumph.
’54 England v Belgium, 4-4
With an average of more than 5 goals a game, the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland is the highest-scoring World Cup in history, and is likely to remain so. Famously, in the group stages West Germany were soundly beaten 8-3 by Hungary’s ‘Golden Team’ that boasted the prolific Sandor Kocsis and the great Ferenc Puskas, only to then go on to defeat the Hungarians 3-2 in the final. Walter Winterbottom’s side played out an eight-goal thriller against Belgium after Ivor Broadis and Nat Lofthouse had put England 3-1 up. A last-second own goal from Portsmouth defender Jimmy Dickinson put paid to England’s hopes of coming away with all two points and levelled the scores at 4-4. The match is one of a number of amazing matches in this World Cup famous for comebacks and goal-laden scorelines.
