England’s players and supporters would probably rather forget the first two matches of the campaign in South Africa. 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
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 Robson stuck with Lineker, and the prolific marksman repaid this faith with a devastating first-half hat-trick. Lineker’s third goal after just 34 minutes sent England’s fans into raptures and they were roused into a spontaneous conga line in the sparsely populated stands 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. Goals from Martin Peters and Hurst helped England recover from going a goal down, but 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. The West Ham striker went on to complete his hat-trick, sealing the Three Lions’ first ever World Cup triumph.
’54 England v Belgium, 4-4
The ’54 tournament in Switzerland remains the highest-scoring World Cup, with 140 goals scored in 26 matches. 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. The Three Lions were left stunned when Belgium came back to draw after Nat Lofthouse and Ivor Broadis had helped England to an ostensibly unassailable 3-1 lead. An own goal from Portsmouth defender Jimmy Dickinson in the dying minutes 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.
Tags: Gary Lineker, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney