England’s players and supporters would probably rather forget the first two matches of the campaign in South Africa. However, over the years, the Three Lions have contributed to some thrilling matches at World Cup Finals. 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 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. 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 later sealed his hat-trick to make England’s World Cup triumph certain.
’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. 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. 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.
