‘CONTROVERSIAL’ is, perhaps, the best single-word description for the 1966 World Cup played in England. Even before the qualifiers started 16 African Nations withdrew after FIFA insisted that the winner of the African zone must then beat either the winner of the Asian or Pacific zone to qualify for the ‘66’ finals. The protest taken by the Africans to FIFA was that winning the African Zone was enough, but FIFA only agreed four years later.
England was awarded the Tournament ahead of the other bidders Spain and West Germany and boastfully proclaimed “football comes home to the country that invented it’. The staging of the 8th World Cup Finals was viewed live throughout the World via Satellite, though in ‘Black and White’. Although it is 44 years since that epic final at Wembley the debate still continues as to whether Geoff Hurst’s shot which struck the underside of the crossbar went behind the goal-line. To this day it is regarded as the most controversial goal in World Cup history. The TV world which numbered in millions also witnessed some of the most questionable officiating, if not biased refereeing and over 1.6 million attended the 32 games.
FIFA declared that from the 70 countries entered for the Qualifiers, 10 Europeans, four South Americans and one each from Asia as well as the North and Central Americas will qualify for the Greatest Football Show where for the first time FIFA unveiled a World Cup Mascot, a lion called World Cup Willy. To add to the anticipated excitement the Jules Rimet trophy was mysteriously stolen while on display at a stamp exhibition in Westminster. It was a dog named Pickles who sniffed out football’s greatest trophy after a massive Police and public hunt was launched. In Norwood, South London the well trained canine found the trophy stashed under some bushes. A man who had demanded a ransom of £15 000 for the safe return of the trophy was jailed for two years while the dog and its owner Dave Corbett were rewarded with £ 6 000.
The opening game played at Wembley had set the tone for a defensive-minded Tournament after an ultra-defensive Uruguay and an un-enterprising England failed to score in 90 minutes of unattractive football. It was a different scenario at Goodison Park where the Cup holders extended their unbeaten Cup run since 1958 to 13 games, inclusive of 2 draws.
The 2-0 winning start over Bulgaria was highlighted by what was to become one of Brazil’s trademark specialty used for scoring – free-kick. The 25-year-old Pele, in his only moment of glitter, splendidly converted in the first segment and Garrincha duplicated in similar fashion in the 2nd period. It was and still is the only time two players scored in 3 consecutive finals. After that win the Cup holders, seeking to become the first nation to win 3 consecutive Cups, were literally kicked out.
First it was Hungary against a Pele-less side and even on his return in the final game against newcomers Portugal the score was the same 3-1 defeat. Ironically, it was Hungary who last defeated the Brazilians in World Cup football when they went 4-2 in the Quarters of the 1954 Tournament played in Switzerland. Against the Portuguese Pele was senselessly, brutally and, no doubt, intentionally mowed down by Morais and the English Referee George McCabe refused to blow for the blatant foul. Pele limped off in excruciating pain and the Samba Boys had surrendered their Cup. Both Hungary and Portugal advanced to the next round from Group 3 where Bulgaria lost also to the Portuguese 3-0 and to Hungary 3-1, the identical result for Portugal’s win against the Hungarians.
In Group 4, Russia won all 3 games and was joined by North Korea who in their debut Cup scored a shocking if not upsetting 1-0 win over the mighty Italy whose unexpected early return home was greeted by rotten tomatoes thrown at the team by loyal fans. The Italians were also beaten 1-0 by Russia who also blew away Korea and Chile 3-0 and 2-1 respectively. Italy’s only success was a 2-0 triumph over Chile. The least goals (9) were scored in Group 1 where the host topped after prevailing by 2-0 margins against France and Mexico. Uruguay also progressed, thanks to a 2-1 victory over France and a goal-less stalemate with Mexico who also drew 1-1 with the French.
West Germany dominated Group 2 with a 5-0 hammering of Switzerland, a 2-1 win against Spain and a goal-less deadlock with Argentina, who moved on as well after beating the Swiss 2-0 and Spain 2-1.
In the Quarters, England were again set to play at Wembley where they eked out a 1-0 win against Argentina, thanks to debutant Geoff Hurst in a match that got out of control at times. German referee Rudolf Kreitlein, midway in the 2nd half decided to expel Argentine’s captain Angelo Rattin for arguing a call and the game was held up for 10 minutes before Rattin reluctantly sauntered off. At Sheffield, West Germany inspired by the young and smooth midfielder Franz ‘The Kaiser’ Beckenbauer, who had a double in the opener against the Swiss, made light work of Uruguay and won 4-0 to qualify for the last four. The biased officiating was also evident in this game as English referee Jim Finney sent off two Uruguayan players, while the quiet success of the Russians continued as they disposed of Hungary 2-1 at Saunderland.
The game of the Quarters and certainly one of World Cup’s Classic for all times was played at Everton where the speedy Koreans’ dream run continued as they rushed to a sensational 3-0 lead after 25 minutes of electrifying football and another shock result was seemingly in the making. Instead what happened after could best be described as the greatest one-man show on a football pitch. Mozambiquan-born Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, who was also called the ‘Black Panther’, maintained his form and goal-scoring appetite and in 32 minutes of exhilaration he was running and evading his adversaries like a man possessed and on a mission to dismiss. The lanky Eusebio’s helmet-trick was pivotal in Portugal’s memorable 5-3 victory which booked their place in the semis.
Both semis ended 2-1 in favour of the Germans and the hosts. At Everton the Russians resorted to physical play and were reduced to nine, paving the way for young Beckenbauer to appear in his first Championship game and at Wembley the English spearheaded by the two Bobbys, captain Moore and Charlton (both goals) together with the Tournament’s youngest player Alan Ball contained Eusebio and consequently ended the Portuguese dream.
The stage for a grand finale was set and on July 30, 96 924 fans filled Wembley as history was repeated. It was the 2nd final to be decided in extra time and resulted in the home side winning, thus ironically eclipsing the 1934 final where eventually hosts Italy overcame Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time. The ‘66’ finals added another unique record which still stands.
Portugal inspired by the explosive Eusebio ended their maiden World Cup appearance with a 2-1 success over Russia for the 3rd place. Again the great inside forward was on the scorers’ list as he pushed his final tally to nine, the most in the Tournament. He was Europe’s closest rival to Pele in Artistry and Consistency. He had tremendous controlled acceleration, yet full of grace. Eusebio was unquestionably the real star of the ‘66’ finals.
Helmut Haller gave the Germans the lead after 12 minutes, but Hurst equalised 6 minutes later. Martin Peters sent England into the lead in the 78th minute and just when it appeared all over Wolfgang Weber silenced Wembley and England with an 89th minute equaliser to extend a most memorable final refereed by Swiss Gottfried Dienst.
All seemed exhausted, but the home side found renewed energy in Ball who was here, there and everywhere. A perfect cross by Ball to the near post 11 minutes into extra time was met by a powerfully struck right foot
by Hurst, hitting the underside of the crossbar and despite appeals by the Germans the ref pointed to the centre after confirming with his linesman.
The final rite was performed in the 120th minute when captain Moore took a quick free-kick from way out on the left for Hurst to perfectly time, running in from the far side and struck a powerful left-footer to become the first and only player to net a treble in a World Cup final. After 65 years of meeting the Germans still can’t find a way to beat the English.
Coach Alf Ramsey who, six months before the tournament confidently predicted England would win, was now seen as a prophet and was later knighted by the Queen for bringing the Cup to England for the first and only time.