Football World Cup 1966

1966 was a year of triumph for the its host nation, England. It was England who won the tournament in a controversial final over West Germany, 4-2. Eusebio of Portugal led the tournament in scoring with nine goals.

Final

July 30, Wembley Stadium, London - {{ENGf}} 4 - 2 (AET) {{FRGf}}

Related Topics:
July 30 - Wembley Stadium - London

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Attendance: 93,802

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Referee: Gottfried Dienst (Switzerland)

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Goals: Helmut Haller|Haller (FRG) 12', Geoff Hurst|Hurst (ENG) 18', Peters (ENG) 78', Weber (FRG) 89', Hurst (ENG) 101', Hurst (ENG) 120'.

Related Topics:
Peters - Hurst

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For more detail, see 1966 World Cup Final

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London's Wembley Stadium provided the venue for the Final, and 97,000 people crammed inside to watch.

Related Topics:
Wembley Stadium - The Final

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After 12 minutes Helmut Haller had put West Germany ahead, but the score was levelled by Geoff Hurst four minutes later. Martin Peters put England in the lead in the 78th minute; England looked set to claim the title when the referee awarded a free kick to West Germany with one minute left. The ball was launched goalward and Wolfgang Weber managed to poke it across the line, with England appealing in vain for handball as the ball came through the crowded penalty area.

Related Topics:
Helmut Haller - Martin Peters - Wolfgang Weber

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With the score level at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, the game went to extra-time. In the 98th minute Hurst found himself on the score sheet again, when his shot hit the crossbar and was controversially deemed to have crossed the line by the referee. In the last minute, it was Hurst again to easily sprint through the (then almost empty) German half and net his third, just as the gathered crowd invaded the pitch to celebrate with the team. This made Geoff Hurst the only player ever to have scored three times in a World Cup Final.

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BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme's description of the match's closing moments has gone down in history: "Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over." (Hurst scores) "It is now!"

Related Topics:
BBC - Kenneth Wolstenholme - They think it's all over.

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England received the recovered Jules Rimet trophy from Her Majesty the Queen and were crowned World Cup winners.

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