After what might be described, at best, as two fairly forgettable matches, there might be some value in England fans reminding themselves of more halcyon days. In the past, England sides have played their part in some thrilling World Cup encounters. Here’s a handful of some the most memorable matches, a list which current England players Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney will hope to help add to this time around.
’86 England v Poland, 3-0
After losing their opening match against Portugal 1-0, the Three Lions played out a goalless draw against Morocco with captain Bryan Robson picking up a tournament-ending injury and Ray Wilkins receiving a red card. 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 the iconic image of Bobby Moore lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy, Kenneth Wolstenholme’s classic commentary and Tofik Bakhramov’s controversial decision, the final at Wembley was a match which lived up to its billing. England recovered from going a goal down to take the lead, only for the West Germans to equalise 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. In the quarter-finals, hosts Switzerland took a 3-0 lead over Austria, but the Austrians recovered to win 7-5, and in the group stages, eventual winners West Germany were thrashed 8-3 by Hungary’s ‘Golden Team’, which boasted such legends as Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis. 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. England were unfortunately knocked out in the quarter finals by Uruguay, but the group match against Belgium remains the highest-scoring draw in World Cup history and one of number of astonishing matches in a tournament famous for great comebacks.
