THE ROAD TO RUSSIA: 1966
The eighth edition of the World Cup was played in England from July 11 to 30 in 1966. England beat West Germany 4- 2 in the final to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.
It was England’s their first World Cup title win and they became the third host nation to win the tournament after Uruguay in 1930 and Italy in 1934.
The 1966 final in Wembley was the last to be telecast in black and white. The tournament held a record for the largest average attendance, for 28 years, until it was surpassed by the United States in 1994.
Brazil and Italy were the two big name casualties in the group stages. An ageing Brazil lost to Eusebioinspired Portugal 3- 1 while Italy suffered the shock result of the tournament when they crashed 0- 1 to North Korea, Pak Doo Ik becoming a household by scoring the match- winner.
England advanced in solid if unspectacular style to the semi- finals, where they faced Portugal. Two brilliant goals by Bobby Charlton put paid to the Portuguese at Wembley.
West Germany, marshalled by new find Franz Beckenbauer, defeated the Soviet Union at Everton to take their place in the final. Helmut Haller put the Germans ahead but Geoff Hurst equalised before half- time. Martin Peters looked to have clinched the cup for the hosts until Wolfgang Weber snatched a dramatic late equaliser to force extra time in a final for only the second time in history. ■ Geoff Hurst scored twice in the additional period to become the first player to score a World Cup final hat- trick. His second goal was highly controversial, bouncing down off the crossbar and, according to a Russian linesman, over the line. ■ In the match played for third place, Portugal beat Soviet Union 2- 1. ■ In all, 89 goals were scored by 47 different players in 32 matches at an average of 2.78 goals per match. With nine goals, Portugal’s Eusebio da Silva Ferreira was the top scorer in this tournament. There were two self goals in this tournament.