No 166
Wales, Ninian Park, 2.10.65. Drew
0-0
Springett Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Paine Greaves Peacock
Charlton R. Connelly
Highlights: Goalkeeper Ron
Springett was recalled for his first game since his nightmare match in France
in Ramsey's first game as England manager. He played impressively enough in a
goalless game to book a place in the 1966 World Cup squad as an understudy to
his successor Gordon Banks. Fielding six players from outside the First
Division, Wales managed to prevent England from scoring for the first time in
thirty-three years. They had the most productive player on the pitch in
balding, 35-year-old Ivor Allchurch, an artist of a player who always managed
to put the correct weight to his passes even now that he was into the autumn
of his career and playing with Swansea in the Third Division.
No 167
Austria, Wembley, 20.10.65.
England lost 3-2
Springett Cohen Wilson
Stiles Charlton J. Moore*
Paine Greaves Bridges Charlton R.1
Connelly1
Highlights: England were twice in
front through Bobby Charlton and John Connelly, but slack defensive play let
the Austrians in for two late goals. It was to be England's last defeat before
the World Cup, and ended an unbeaten run of nine games. The Austrians, the
third overseas team to win at Wembley, were flattered by their victory, and
the result did not dent Alf Ramsey's confidence that England were going to win
the World Cup. Jimmy Greaves, of all people, missed a hat-trick of simple
chances, and seemed strangely listless. He was later diagnosed as suffering
him hepatitis and was out of the game for the next five months.
No
168
Northern Ireland, Wembley,
10.11.65. England won 2-1
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Thompson Baker1
Peacock1
Charlton R. Connelly
Highlights: Joe Baker, deputising
for the hospitalized Greaves, put England in the lead in the nineteenth
minute. The Irish equalised sixty seconds later when Willie Irvine turned a
George Best centre through the legs of an embarrassed Gordon Banks. Persistent
rain made the surface treacherous, and the Irish defenders were slithering
around when Alan Peacock scored England's winner in the seventieth minute.
Under gentle persuasion from Alf Ramsey - and at club level, Matt Busby -
Bobby Charlton was starting to specialize in more of a withdrawn role, and he
was developing into the Great Conductor.
No
169
Spain, Madrid, 8.12.65. England
won 2-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Hunt1
Baker1
(Hunter) Eastham Charlton R.
Highlights: One of the most
significant games in Alf Ramsey's managerial life. He gave full rein to his
4-3-3 formation for the first time following the experiment in Nuremburg, and
the resounding victory convinced him that he had found the tactics best suited
to England for the World Cup. The defence was as it would appear throughout
the World Cup finals – Banks behind a back line of Cohen, Jack Charlton, Moore
and Wilson. Stiles patrolled the midfield as a ball winner alongside the fetch
and carrying Alan Ball, with George Eastham orchestrating things from a deep
position in centre midfield (the role that would eventually become Bobby
Charlton's). Here in Spain Bobby wore the number eleven shirt and was
delegated an attacking role alongside out-and-out strikers Roger Hunt and Joe
Baker, who spoke with such a heavy Scottish accent that many of his colleagues
could not always understand him. It was Baker who gave England an early lead
on a pitch soaked by melting snow before limping off in the thirty-fifth
minute with a pulled muscle. Norman 'Bites Yer Legs' Hunter became the first
England player to make his debut as a substitute. Alan Ball famously put his
hands together as Hunter came on to the pitch, and said; 'For what they are
about to receive …!' Roger Hunt clinched victory with a classic goal on the
hour after a sweeping length-of-the-pitch passing movement involving George
Cohen, Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore. The Liverpool striker was making a
strong challenge for the England shirt usually worn by the absent, unwell
Greaves.
No
170
Poland, Liverpool, 5.1.66. Drew
1-1
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles Charlton J. Moore*1
Ball Hunt Baker
Eastham Harris
Highlights: Bobby Moore scored one
of the two goals that decorated his 108 international appearances to cancel
out Poland's lead on a glue-pot pitch at Goodison. Moore put the finishing
touch to a late move started by Burnley winger Gordon Harris, deputising for
the injured Bobby Charlton, and it was Jack Charlton who made the final pass
that created the opening for England's skipper. This was the first match
between England and Poland, and the first full international for 13 years at a
Goodison ground that was to be one of the World Cup venues. Incessant
rain turned the pitch into a quagmire that made every step a challenge. No
doubt buoyed by his rare goal, Moore stormed into the penalty area in the
closing minutes to meet a centre from the tireless Alan Ball and powered a
header against the crossbar. Again, Alf Ramsey played 4-3-3, with Stiles, Ball
and Eastham working together in midfield.
No
171
West Germany, Wembley, 23.2.66.
England won 1-0
Banks Cohen Newton (Wilson)
Moore* Charlton J. Hunter
Ball Hunt Stiles1
Hurst Charlton R.
Highlights: This was to prove a
dress rehearsal for the World Cup Final just five months later. Nobby Stiles,
wearing the number nine shirt but playing in midfield, scored the only goal of
the match and of his international career. Some of the less educated football
reporters wrote that Stiles had played at centre-forward and that 'Ramsey's
gamble of playing him as a spearhead' paid off with a goal. They were yet to
understand that shirt numbers were becoming meaningless. Little had been
learned since back in the 1950s when Nandor Hidgekuti completely baffled
England's defence by playing a withdrawn role in the number nine shirt. Geoff
Hurst made an impressive England debut, and Keith Newton's first England game
ended just before half-time when he limped off to be replaced by substitute
Ray Wilson. The Germans claimed an equaliser when Heiss turned in a cross from
Held, but the referee disallowed it after consulting a flag-waving linesman.
The shape of things to come! The appearance together of Stiles and Hunter
meant the game became a bruise on the memory of several of the Germans.
No 172
Scotland, Hampden Park, 2.4.66.
England won 4-3
Banks Cohen Newton Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Hunt2
Charlton R.1
Hurst1
Connelly
Highlights: Geoff Hurst scored
his first goal for England in the nineteenth minute to start a spree that
excited the 133,000 crowd but made purists wince at the procession of
defensive blunders by both teams. Hunt added a second goal for England before
Denis Law threw himself forward in typical dare-devil style to head Scotland's
first goal just before half-time. Hunt made it 3-1 early in the second-half,
and then Celtic's jinking winger Jimmy Johnstone pulled it back to 3-2 before
a thunderbolt shot from Bobby Charlton restored the two-goal lead. This was
Charlton in imperious form as he reveled in his role as midfield orchestrator.
Johnstone, turning the England defence inside out with his dribbling runs,
scored the final goal six minutes from the end with a delicate curling shot
that deceived goalkeeper Gordon Banks. A press reporter said to Alf Ramsey
immediately after the match, 'A great game to watch, Alf.' The cold blue eyes
became a burning glare on the journalist. 'For you maybe,' said Alf, 'but I
thought there was some appalling football played. We must be much, much
tighter.' Seven-goal thrillers did not belong in the Ramsey textbook. Once a
perfectionist right-back, always a perfectionist right-back.
No
173
Yugoslavia, Wembley, 4.5.66.
England won 2-0
Banks Armfield* Wilson
Peters Charlton J. Hunter
Paine Greaves1
Charlton R.1
Hurst Tambling
Highlights: Jimmy Greaves, back in the England team after
his hepatitis-forced five-month lay-off, scored the first goal in the ninth
minute. Bobby Charlton celebrated being elected 'Footballer of the Year' by
wrapping up England's victory with another of his screaming long-range shots.
Martin Peters, the player who would be described by Ramsey as 'ten years ahead
of his time', twice went close to marking his debut with a goal against a
highly skilled Yugoslav side. It was England's last home game before the World
Cup and they responded with a powerful performance that sent a mood of
optimism shooting through the country
No
174
Finland, Helsinki, 26.6.66.
England won 3-0
Banks Armfield* Wilson Peters1
Charlton J.1
Hunter
Callaghan Hunt1
Charlton R. Hurst Ball
Highlights: Martin
Peters scored his first goal for England and the first of the match at the
start of a final warm-up tour before the World Cup finals. Alan Ball failed
from the penalty spot in a game remembered more for the many missed chances
than those that were eventually taken by Roger Hunt and Jack Charlton (a freak
goal from a last-minute shot from out on the by-line. Ian Callaghan made a
lively debut alongside his Liverpool team-mate Hunt as Alf Ramsey continued
his experiment of playing with just one winger. Soon, there would be none!
No 175
Norway, Oslo, 29.6.66. England won
6-1
Springett Cohen Byrne G. Stiles Flowers
Moore*1
Paine Greaves4
Charlton R. Hunt Connelly1
Highlights: Jimmy Greaves scored
four goals for the second time in his international career against a Norwegian
team that was out of its depth. A misplaced back pass by Ron Flowers gifted
the Norwegians a fourth minute lead, but from then on England totally
dominated play. Greaves scored all his goals in the first-half and was now top
England goalscorer with 43 goals from 49 international matches. Bobby Moore
got on the scoresheet with a twenty-five yard drive that could have come from
the boot of Bobby Charlton, who created the sixth goal for John Connelly in a
second-half played at exhibition pace. FA and Chelsea chairman Joe Mears, a
long-time friend and supporter of Greaves, died of a heart attack in Oslo the
day after the match, which threw a blanket of despair over the entire squad.
Mears, 'Mr Chelsea', had been a driving force in the preparations for
England's hosting of the World Cup finals.
No
176
Denmark, Copenhagen, 3.7.66.
England won 2-0
Bonetti Cohen Wilson Stiles Charlton J.1
Moore*
Ball Greaves Hurst Eastham1
Connelly
Highlights: Goals from Jack
Charlton and George Eastham gave England their sixth successive victory.
Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti had his first taste of international football
and performed well on a bumpy pitch that led to many errors in front of him.
The amateurs of Denmark, playing for their pride, were robust with their
challenges. This brought out the vicious competitive edge that lurked just
below the surface with Nobby Stiles and Alan Ball, and they were both given
lectures by a Canadian referee who in this day and age would have been
flourishing several red cards. Greavsie, four-goal hero in the previous match,
hardly got a touch of the ball in his milestone fiftieth international game.
No
177
Poland, Chorzow, 5.7.66. England
won 1-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Greaves Charlton R. Hunt1
Peters
Highlights: A beautifully struck
shot by Roger Hunt in the thirteenth minute was enough to give England victory
in this final match before the World Cup finals. This would prove to be the
line-up that just twenty-five days later would win the World Cup for England,
with just one exception: Hurst in place of Greaves. Alf Ramsey had unveiled
his wingless wonders, and there is no doubt that he considered this his
strongest line-up. Martin Peters was the man of the match, sharing scheming
duties with Bobby Charlton, and having the energy to help out in both defence
and attack whenever necessary. He did it all with style and grace, and it was
a surprise when he failed to make Ramsey's line-up for the opening match of
the World Cup six days later.
No
178
Uruguay, World Cup, Wembley,
11.7.66. Drew 0-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Greaves Charlton R.
Hunt Connelly
Highlights: A dull and
uninspiring start to the World Cup left neutrals wondering on what Alf Ramsey
based his confidence that England would win the tournament. Uruguay played
with nine men back in defence and defied all England's attempts to break them
down. It was the first time in twelve matches that England had failed to
score. John Connelly was Ramsey's one winger. The Uruguayans celebrated at the
final whistle as if they had won. They had squeezed exactly what they wanted
from the game with their stifling defensive tactics. It was not a pretty
sight.
No
179
Mexico, World Cup, Wembley,
16.7.66. England won 2-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Paine Greaves Charlton R.1
Hunt1
Peters
Highlights: Alf Ramsey had not yet
completely abandoned wingers. Terry Paine was preferred to Connelly in this
second game, with Martin Peters taking the place of Alan Ball in midfield.
Bobby Charlton unleashed one of his magnificent twenty-five yard specials for
the first goal, and Roger Hunt clinched victory after having what looked a
good goal ruled off-side. After the frustration of the opening match against
Uruguay, this victory convinced many people that England could live up to
Ramsey's expectations. Mexico were not allowed to create a single goal-scoring
chance by an England defence in which Bobby Moore was at his commanding best.
No
180
France, World Cup, Wembley,
20.7.66. England won 2-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Callaghan Greaves Charlton R. Hunt2
Peters
Highlights: Two smartly taken
Roger Hunt goals gave England a confidence booster on their way into the World
Cup quarter-finals. Ian Callaghan became the third winger tried by the England
manager. Jimmy Greaves finished the match with a deep gash on his left shin,
and Stiles was booked for a crunching tackle on French striker Simon. He was
fortunate not to be sent off, and Ramsey ignored calls from Football
Association officials that he should drop Stiles because of his competitive
nature. 'If Stiles goes, so do I,' said Ramsey. And he was not feigning.
He knew how vital Nobby's ball-winning performances were to the team in an era
when fierce tackling midfield players were a necessary evil.
No
181
Argentina, World Cup, Wembley,
23.7.66. England won 1-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Hurst1
Charlton R. Hunt Peters
Highlights: Argentina shelved
their superior skills and instead concentrated on what seemed a premeditated
policy of disrupting England with a spate of petty fouls. Their captain
Antonio Rattin arrogantly challenged just about every decision that the
referee made and was waving his arms around like a traffic policeman. Finally
the referee, a little West German called Rudlof Kreitlin, could take no more
of Rattin's disruptive tactics and ordered him off. It was almost comical to
see the tiny figure of the referee staring up at the tall, stately looking
Rattin and demanding that he leave the field. It was also very sad. It took
ten minutes of argument and touchline interpretations before Rattin finally
walked. Geoff Hurst, making his debut in place of the injured Greaves, headed
the winning goal from a Martin Peters cross to the near post. It was a
classical creation that had made-in-West Ham written all over it. For Gordon
Banks, it was a record seventh successive England appearance without conceding
a goal. This was the first match in which England played without a recognised
winger. Ramsey's 'Wingless Wonders' were off the launching pad. Alan Ball,
desperately disheartened to miss the previous two matches to the point where
he considered walking out, gave a perpetual motion performance that confirmed
that he was in the side to stay. Alf Ramsey described the Argentineans as
'animals', a heat-of-the-moment description that had diplomatic repercussions
and led to official protests being made to the British ambassador in Buenos
Aires. The sad fact is that Argentina were the most skilful side in the
tournament, but they allowed their tempers to over-rule their talent.
No 182
Portugal, World Cup, Wembley,
26.7.66. England won 2-1
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Hurst Charlton R.2
Hunt Peters
Highlights: This was THE classic
match of the 1966 World Cup. It lacked the drama of the Final, but the
football played by both teams had rarely been bettered at Wembley. The match
belonged more to Bobby Charlton than anybody. He moved with the grace of a
Nureyev on grass and the power of a panther. His reward was two superb goals,
one drilled low into the net from a rebound after a Roger Hunt shot had been
blocked, and the second, a real beauty, rifled high into the net from
twenty-five yards. Seven minutes from the end England's magnificent defence
conceded their first goal of the tournament when Eusebio scored from the
penalty spot after Jack Charlton had handled a header from Jose Torres. Nobby
Stiles performed a disciplined containing role on the great Eusebio, fresh
from his stunning four-goal performance against North Korea in the
quarter-final at Goodison after the Koreans had rushed three goals into the
lead. Eusebio left the pitch in tears as the two teams got a standing ovation
for producing a match that would live long in the memory.
No
183
West Germany, World Cup Final,
Wembley, 30.7.66. England won 4-2 (aet)
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles
Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Hurst3
Charlton R. Hunt Peters1
Highlights: Alf Ramsey decided
to stick with an unchanged team. No place for fit-again Jimmy Greaves. West
Germany took the negative approach of putting Franz Beckenbauer on man-to-man
marking duty against Bobby Charlton, so the two most creative players on the
pitch cancelled each other out. This was manager Helmut Schoen's reaction to
Charlton's spectacular show against Portugal. A rare Ray Wilson mistake on a
wet surface let Helmut Haller in for a thirteenth minute goal which was
equalised six minutes later when Hurst headed in a perfectly flighted
free-kick from his West Ham team-mate Bobby Moore. Just after the hour a Hurst
shot was blocked and it was another West Hammer, Peters, who smacked the
rebound smartly into the net to make it 2-1. England were one minute from the
World Cup when Jack Charlton was adjudged to have fouled Germany's skipper Uwe
Seeler. During a goalmouth scramble that followed the free-kick defender Hans
Weber forced the ball into the net, with skipper Bobby Moore insisting there
had been a handball. Ten minutes into extra-time, the inexhaustible Alan Ball
made one of his many scampering runs past left-back Schnellinger and centered
the ball. Hurst turned and fired a first-time shot against the under-side of
the ball, and England claimed the ball had crossed the goal-line. Swiss
referee Georg Dienst awarded a controversial goal after consulting the Russian
linesman Bakhramov. To this day, the Germans dispute the decision. Hurst ended
all arguments in the final seconds when he ran on to a clearance from Bobby
Moore and hammered a left foot shot past goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski to complete
the first ever World Cup hat-trick. England, just as Alf Ramsey had
prophesied, were champions of the world.
No 184
Northern Ireland, Windsor Park, 22.10.66. England won 2-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles Charlton J. Moore*
Ball Hurst Charlton R. Hunt1
Peters1
Highlights:
The Irish, with George Best and Derek Dougan in menacing mood, battled
desperately to overcome England in their first match as world champions, but
they were sunk by a goal in each half by first Roger Hunt and then Martin
Peters. The match deteriorated into a bad tempered encounter, and in the
closing minutes Linfield winger Billy Ferguson was ordered off after a savage
tackle on Alan Ball. Bobby Moore's attention during the build up to the
match was claimed by the Inland Revenue, who announced they would be taxing
the £1,000 bonus collected by each of the 22 players in England's World Cup
winning squad. On behalf of the team, skipper Bobby took the Taxman to
the steps of the law courts before they relented and agreed to make it tax
free. What a way to treat heroes.
No 185
Czechoslovakia, Wembley, 2.11.66. Drew 0-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles Charlton J.
Moore*
Ball Hurst Charlton R. Hunt Peters
Highlights: This was the sixteenth match since the summer
of 1965 in which England had not conceded a goal. The Czechs came only to
defend, and their nine-man blanket defence smothered the England attack.
England were now unbeaten in their last eighteen matches, and losing only once
in their last twenty-nine, but this was a below-par performance that
disappointed the 75,000 crowd. For the record, this was only the second
goalless draw in fifty-eight post-war full internationals at Wembley. The only
other one was the World Cup curtain-raiser against Uruguay.
No
186
Wales, Wembley, 16.11.66. England won 5-1 (own goal1)
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles Charlton J.1
Moore*
Ball Hurst2
Charlton R.1
Hunt Peters
Highlights: The Charlton brothers were both on the
score-sheet and Geoff Hurst netted twice against a Welsh team that telegraphed
their tactics by continually trying to play long balls to their twin strikers
Wyn Davies and Ron Davies. Apart from a consolation headed goal by Wyn Davies,
the England defence comfortably controlled the Welsh attack by shutting out
their supply line from the wings. With both the Home Championship and
qualification for the European championships at stake, the game had a hard
competitive edge and the final scoreline flattered the world champions who
were helped by an own goal from one of the hardest workers on the pitch, Terry
Hennessey. Bobby Moore, playing in his fiftieth international, was exceptional
in an England defence that was at its dominant best. This was to prove the
last match in which the famous World Cup winning XI played together.
No
187
Scotland, Wembley, 15.4.67. England lost 3-2
Banks Cohen Wilson Stiles Charlton J.1
Moore*
Ball Greaves Charlton R. Hurst1
Peters
Highlights: Scotland claimed they were world champions
after handing England their first defeat in twenty matches, but it was
something of a hollow victory against a team reduced to eight fit players.
Jack Charlton hobbled at centre-forward for much of the match with a broken
toe, Ray Wilson was a limping passenger after getting a kick on the ankle, and
Jimmy Greaves was reduced to half pace by a knock in his comeback match. Denis
Law was at his tormenting best and gave Scotland the lead after twenty-eight
minutes, and it remained at 1-0 until a four-goal rush in the last twelve
minutes. Celtic winger Bobby Lennox made it 2-0 before Jack Charlton bravely
pulled one back. Gordon Banks was beaten at the near post by Jim McCalliog and
then Hurst headed home a Bobby Charlton cross. Nobby Stiles, Denis Law's
Manchester United team-mate, said later: 'I knew the Scots were taking it very
seriously when Denis came on to the pitch wearing shinpads. I had never seen
him wear them before.' Four of the Scottish team helped Celtic become the
first British club to win the European Cup the following month. The newly
knighted Sir Alf Ramsey said: 'Scotland deserved their victory, but I hope
they will accept it as a fact rather than an excuse when I say were were
heavily handicapped by injuries.'
No 188
Spain, Wembley, 24.5.67. England won 2-0
Bonetti Cohen Newton Mullery Labone
Moore*
Ball Greaves1
Hurst Hunt1
Hollins
Highlights: John Hollins won his only cap for England and
played a prominent part in the first goal. His centre to the far post was
headed down by Alan Ball into the path of Roger Hunt, whose shot was blocked
and Jimmy Greaves banged in the rebound. It was his forty-fourth and final
goal for England. Hunt scored England's second goal in a match played for much
of the time in a torrential downpour. Peter Bonetti, Keith Newton, Brian
Labone and John Hollins were all brought into the Ramsey fold as he started to
build for the 1968 European championship finals.
No 189
Austria, Vienna, 27.5.67. England won 1-0
Bonetti Newton Wilson Mullery Labone
Moore*
Ball1
Greaves Hurst Hunt Hunter
Highlights: This was Sir Alf Ramsey's fiftieth match since
he took over and his thirty-third victory. It was also a milestone match for
Harold Shepherdson, who was on the touchline for his hundredth match as
England trainer. A neatly worked goal by Alan Ball in the twentieth minute won
the match. The England squad then went off on a trip to Canada thinly
disguised as an FA XI as part of the Expo 67 festivities. The nadir of a
pointless exercise was Sir Alf getting caught up in a heated argument over the
state of the pitch in Montreal which had been used for a circus parade a day
before the game. In one of the great unexpected and original quotes from a
football manager, Sir Alf fumed in his clipped tones: 'I will not allow my
players to risk injury on a disgraceful pitch that is covered in elephant
shit.'
No 190
Wales, Ninian Park, 21.10.67. England won 3-0
Banks Cohen Newton Mullery Charlton J.
Moore*
Ball1
Hunt Charlton R.1
Hurst Peters1
Highlights:
The match turned on a magnificent save by Gordon Banks. Wales were having the
better of the early play in a rainstorm when his Stoke team-mate Roy Vernon
fired a shot from point-blank range. Somehow Banks managed to fist the ball
off target, and from then on England took command. Martin Peters and Bobby
Charlton scored a goal each and Alan Ball netted from the penalty spot. Mike
England stood like a man mountain in the middle of the Welsh defence, and gave
added ammunition to his Tottenham supporters who claimed with some
justification that he was the best centre-half in Britain.
No 191
Northern Ireland, Wembley, 22.11.67. England won 2-0
Banks Cohen Wilson Mullery Sadler Moore*
Thompson Hunt Charlton R.1
Hurst1
Peters
Highlights:
Versatile David Sadler made his debut at centre-half against a Northern
Ireland team missing their two key forwards George Best and Derek Dougan.
Goals from Geoff Hurst and Bobby Charlton clinched victory in an
undistinguished match that fell flat the moment it was announced just before
the kick-off that both Best and Dougan had failed fitness tests. All attention
was now switched to the final Home Championship match against Scotland that
would decide which of them would represent Great Britain in the European
Nations Cup quarter finals.
No 192
USSR, Wembley, 6.12.67. Drew 2-2
Banks Knowles Wilson Mullery Sadler
Moore*
Ball1
Hunt Charlton R. Hurst Peters1
Highlights: Ray Wilson was given a rare chasing on a
snow-carpeted pitch by flying Russian winger Chislenko, who appropriately was
also an outstanding ice hockey player. Alan Ball gave England an early lead,
but two goals from 'Red Rocket' Chislenko put Russia in command. Bobby Moore
and Ray Wilson combined to make an opening for Martin Peters, who headed an
equaliser. Tottenham defender Cyril Knowles made an assured debut out of
position at right-back. Pshenichnikov proved himself a worthy successor to Lev
Yashin in goal with a series of stunning saves as England pressed for victory
in the last twenty minutes of a skilled and entertaining match that was a
credit to both sides.
No 193
Scotland, Hampden Park, 24.2.68. Drew 1-1
Banks Newton Wilson Mullery Labone Moore*
Ball Hurst Summerbee Charlton R. Peters1
Highlights: England needed a draw to qualify for the
European championship quarter-finals, Scotland a win. Martin Peters (described
by Sir Alf as 'twenty years ahead of his time') produced one of his most
impressive performances for England, scoring their goal with a superbly
controlled swerving shot and going close on three other occasions. John Hughes
headed Scotland's equaliser when Gordon Banks slipped on the treacherous
surface that was a mixture of mud and ice. Charlie Cooke had a brilliant
twenty-minute spell when he ran the England defence dizzy, but the Scottish
strikers could not cash in on his creative work. Mike Summerbee made a quietly
impressive debut, and played an important assist role in the Peters goal that
stamped the passport for England play Spain in a two-legged Nations Cup
quarter-final.
No
194
Spain, Wembley, 3.4.68. England won 1-0
Banks Knowles Wilson Mullery Charlton J.
Moore*
Ball Hunt Summerbee Charlton R.1
Peters
Highlights: Bobby Charlton crashed the ball into the net
from a short free-kick taken by Martin Peters to equal the 44-goal England
record held by Jimmy Greaves. Spain threatened to snatch a last minute
equaliser in this first leg European championship quarter-final tie, but Banks
pulled off a spectacular save from a lightning back heel by Amancio. The
Spaniards played a cautious defensive game, putting their faith in a victory
in the second leg in Madrid.
No 195
Spain, Madrid, 8.5.68. England won 2-1
Bonetti Newton Wilson Mullery Labone
Moore*
Ball Peters1
Charlton R. Hunt Hunter1
Highlights: When Geoff Hurst pulled out of this European
championship quarter-final second leg at the last minute with a damaged toe,
Sir Alf Ramey juggled his team and summoned Norman Hunter as an extra
containing player. Amancio brought the scores level on aggregate in the first
minute of the second-half of a match played with a fierce determination.
Martin Peters quickly restored England's advantage when he headed in an Alan
Ball corner. Ten minutes from the end Roger Hunt collected an Alan Mullery
throw, and his cross was thrashed into the net by, of all people, Hunter,
scoring a rare goal with one of the most under-used right boots in football.
The victory clinched England's place in the European championship semi-finals
in Italy.
No 196
Sweden, Wembley, 22.5.68. England won 3-1
Stepney Newton Knowles Mullery Labone Moore*
Ball Peters1
Charlton R.1
(Hurst) Hunt1
Hunter
Highlights:
Alex Stepney played his only game in the England goal one week before helping
Manchester United win the European Cup on the same pitch. Colin Bell also made
his first appearance, and helped inspire goals from Peters, Hunt and a classic
from Charlton, who became the new record holder with forty-five goals before
limping off to be replaced by Geoff Hurst. Charlton recovered from his injury
to lead United to their emotional European Cup victory over Benfica. There was
a worrying climax to the game when Swedish goalkeeper Larsson was carried off
with a fractured skull after he had bravely dived at the feet of Alan Mullery.
No
197
West Germany, Hanover, 1.6.68. England lost 1-0
Banks Newton Knowles Hunter Labone
Moore*
Ball Bell Summerbee Hurst Thompson
Highlights: England's unbeaten record against the Germans,
which had lasted twelve matches and sixty-seven years, ended when Brian Labone
deflected a Franz Beckenbauer shot wide of Gordon Banks eight minutes from the
end. It was a goal that silenced the jeers of the German spectators who had
been barracking their own team as England made and missed a string of chances.
This was only England's third defeat in their last forty matches, and they
headed for their European Nations Cup semi-final against Yugoslavia in
Florence in good spirit.
No
198
Yugoslavia, Florence, 5.6.68. England lost 1-0
Banks Newton Wilson Mullery Labone
Moore*
Ball Peters Charlton R. Hunt Hunter
Highlights: Dragan Dzajic, Yugoslavia's world-class winger,
snatched the goal that won this ill-tempered European Nations Cup semi-final
after Bobby Moore had failed to reach a high cross five minutes from the end.
It was a bruising, angry battle in which the Yugoslavs kicked anything that
moved, and in the final moments Alan Mullery became the first player ever sent
off while playing for England. He got his marching orders for retaliating
after being on the receiving end of a brutal tackle by Trivic. By today's
no-contact rules at least two players from either side would have been sent
for early baths long before Mullery made his miserable exit. 'It was the worst
moment of my career,' he said later. 'I felt as if I had not only let the team
down but also my wife and family. The player I kicked out at had been hacking
at me throughout the game and I just lost my temper. To be the first England
player ever sent off is a record I will hate having to live with.'
No
199
USSR, Rome, 8.6.68. England won 2-0
Banks Wright Wilson Stiles Labone Moore*
Hunter Hunt Charlton R.1
Hurst1
Peters
Highlights: Goals from Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst
lifted England to victory in this play-off for third place in the European
championship finals. Nobby Stiles was recalled for his first England match for
fourteen months in place of the suspended Alan Mullery, and played in his
trademark tigerish style. The Russians had been deadlocked with Italy after
extra-time in a goalless semi-final. Italy went through to the final on an
unsatisfactory toss of a coin (even critics of the penalty shoot out deciders
could not accept that this was the right way to settle stalemated matches).
Italy then beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in a replay of the final after a 1-1 draw. For
Sir Alf Ramsey and his England players the priority now was the defence of
their World Cup in Mexico in 1970.
No
200
Rumania, Bucharest, 6.11.68. Drew 0-0
Banks Wright (McNab) Newton Mullery Labone
Moore*
Ball Hunt Charlton R. Hurst Peters
Highlights: Tommy Wright, who had partnered his Everton
team-mate Ray Wilson at full-back against Russia, now had Blackburn's Keith
Newton playing with him at left-back. England's World Cup heroes Cohen and
Wilson had both had their international careers ended by injuries after
playing together in twenty-seven matches. Wright and Newton, who would later
continue their partnership at club level with Everton, hardly had time to get
to know each other before Wright went off injured in the tenth minute to be
replaced by Arsenal's Bob McNab who, despite playing out of position, gave a
sound debut performance in a dreary, defence-dominated match.
No
201
Bulgaria, Wembley, 11.12.68. Drew 1-1
West Newton (Reaney) McNab Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee Bell Charlton R. Hurst1
Peters
Highlights:
Francis Lee made his first England appearance alongside his Manchester City
team-mate Colin Bell, and his thrusting runs down the right wing were a
continual source of danger to a packed Bulgarian defence. There were also
first England caps for goalkeeper Gordon West and Leeds full-back Paul Reaney,
who came on as a substitute for injured Keith Newton. Geoff Hurst scored
England's goal, and the Bulgarians replied with a magnificent solo goal by
powerful centre-forward Asparoukhov.
No 202
Rumania, Wembley,
15.1.69. Drew 1-1
Banks Wright McNab Stiles Charlton J.1
Hunter
Radford Hunt Charlton R.* Hurst Ball
Highlights: A memorable match for the Charlton brothers.
Bobby captained the team in injured Bobby Moore's absence in what was his
ninetieth international, and big Jack scored England's goal. It was John
Radford's first game for England and Roger Hunt's last. Hunt was sick of the
criticism being aimed at him during an unsuccessful press campaign to get
Jimmy Greaves recalled, and he asked Ramsey not to consider him for any more
matches. The media built it into a Hunt-hates-Greaves war, but the turth is
that they liked and respected each other. It was just footballing fate that
these two exceptional goal scorers reached their footballing peak at the same
time.
No 203
France, Wembley, 12.3.69. England won 5-0
Banks Newton Cooper Mullery Charlton J.
Moore*
Lee1
Bell Hurst3 Peters O'Grady1
Highlights: Geoff Hurst was again a hat-trick hero, this
time two of his goals against an outclassed French side coming from the
penalty spot. Francis Lee scored his first goal for England and Mike O'Grady,
recalled after six years in the wilderness, was also on the mark. Terry Cooper
was Keith Newton's new left-back partner as Ramsey continued his search for a
duo to compare with Cohen and Wilson. It was a relief for Sir Ramsey to find
his forwards on he mark after only four goals in the previous six
internationals. There were two Wembley milestones. This was England's 100th
victory against overseas opponents, and Hurst's goal was the 200th
by England at the twin-towered cathedral of English football.
No
204
Northern Ireland, Windsor Park, 3.5.69. England won 3-1
Banks Newton McNab Mullery Labone
Moore*
Ball Lee1
Charlton R. Hurst1
Peters1
Highlights: The scoreline flattered England. Goalkeeper
Gordon Banks was under long periods of pressure after Eric McMordie had
cancelled out an early Martin Peters goal. With Newton doing an excellent
containing job on George Best, England began to gain command. Goals from
Francis Lee and Geoff Hurst wrapped up the game for them but not before Banks
had made two splendid saves against the always dangerous Derek Dougan. Live
television cut the attendance to 23,000.
No
205
Wales, Wembley, 7.5.69. England won 2-1
West Newton Cooper Moore* Charlton
J. Hunter
Lee1
Bell Astle Charlton R.1
Ball
Highlights:
Wyn Davies gave Wales the lead and they were looking the better team when
England were awarded a penalty that Francis Lee fired against the woodwork.
The miss seemed to inspire rather than depress the Manchester City striker,
and he laid on the equaliser for Bobby Charlton following a smart exchange of
wall passes, and he then notched the winner after a drive from lively debutant
Jeff Astle had been cleared off the line.
No 206
Scotland, Wembley, 10.5.69. England won 4-1
Banks Newton Cooper Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee Ball Charlton R. Hurst2
Peters2
Highlights: The old West Ham double act of Hurst and
Peters sunk the Scots with two goals each, the second of Hurst's goals coming
from a thunderous penalty that many observers considered the hardest they had
ever seen a ball hit from the spot. Colin Stein scored to make it 2-1 at
half-time, and the final scoreline was harsh on a Scottish team powerfully
driven from midfield by Billy Bremner and Archie Gemmill. The victory put
England in just the right mood for their fact-finding tour in preparation for
their 1970 World Cup defence.
No
207
Mexico, Mexico City, 1.6.69. Drew 0-0
West Newton (Wright) Cooper Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee Ball Charlton R. Hurst Peters
Highlights: Goalkeeper Gordon West played impressively as
deputy for Gordon Banks, and then astonished Ramsey by asking not to be
considered for any more internationals because he suffered so much from
homesickness. The England team struggled in the second-half as the Mexico's
high altitude took its toll, and Ramsey noted that he would need to give them
several weeks to acclimatise before the 1970 World Cup finals. An unofficial
international followed three days later in which an FA XI won 4-0 as Sir Alf
gave every player in his squad experience of action in the thin air of
Mexico.
No
208
Uruguay, Montevideo, 8.6.69. England won 2-1
Banks Wright Newton Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee1
Bell Hurst1
Ball Peters
Highlights: Gordon Banks, back in the England goal
following a round-trip home to England for the funeral of his father, had to
be at his best to keep out the Uruguay attack after Francis Lee had scored an
early goal. Banks was beaten by a diving header from the exceptional Luis
Cubilla, before Hurst collected the winner ten minutes from the end following
neat approach work by Ball and Lee. The game was played in the Centenario
Stadium, the venue for the first World Cup final in 1930.
No
209
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, 12.6.69. England lost 2-1
Banks Wright Newton Mullery Labone
Moore*
Ball Bell1
Charlton R. Hurst Peters
Highlights:
Colin Bell gave England a 1-0 half-time lead and victory hopes were high when
Banks saved a penalty from Brazilian skipper Carlos Alberto that briefly
silenced the 160,000 crowd in the magnificent Maracana Stadium. Alan Mullery
policed Pele so well that he made hardly any impact on the match, but England
tired in the final twenty minutes and they were brought to their knees by late
goals from Tostao and Jairzinho (a signed of things to come!). Sir Alf Ramsey
said after the match: 'I am proud of every one of our players. We were so
close to a deserved victory. I am delighted with our overall performances on
this tour, and it will be of great benefit when we come back next year for the
World Cup.'
No
210
Holland, Amsterdam, 5.11.69. England won 1-0
Bonetti Wright Hughes Mullery Charlton J.
Moore*
Lee (Thompson) Bell1
Charlton R. Hurst Peters
Highlights: Colin Bell scored the goal that defeated a
Dutch team that played the more skilful football but without being able to
provide the finishing touch to their impressive approach work. Emlyn Hughes
made a sound start to his England career at left-back. It was Guy Fawkes Day,
but there were few fireworks from an England attack that too often put passes
astray. The game was into its last five minutes when Bell netted the winning
goal following a mishit shot by Bobby Charlton. It was deserved reward for an
all-action display from Bell, who had earlier put a header against the bar.
His energetic performance showed why his Manchester City coach Malcolm Allison
had nicknamed him Nijinsky (after the race horse, not the ballet master). The
talk among the England players after the match was the performance of young
Ajax partners Rudi Krol and Johann Cruyff. The prediction was that we would be
hearing a lot more about them.
No
211
Portugal, Wembley, 10.12.69. England won 1-0
Bonetti Reaney Hughes Mullery Charlton J.1
Moore*
Lee Bell (Peters) Astle Charlton R. Ball
Highlights: Francis Lee, noted as one of the deadliest of
all penalty takers, missed his second spot-kick in an England shirt. England
were awarded the penalty after Jeff Astle had been brought down. Lee stumbled
as he ran up to take the kick and sliced the ball so wide it nearly hit a
corner flag. It took centre-half Jack Charlton to show the forwards how to get
the ball into the net on a pitch made treacherous by heavy rain. Jack rose
high to head in a corner from brother Bobby in the twenty-fourth minute of an
undistinguished match. Martin Peters was summoned on as second-half substitute
for Colin Bell, who went off with a dislocated shoulder.
No
212
Holland, Wembley, 14.1.70. Drew 0-0
Banks Newton Cooper Peters Charlton J.
Hunter
Lee (Mullery) Bell Jones (Hurst) Charlton R.*
Storey-Moore
Highlights: England were slow-handclapped and jeered by
their fans who did not appreciate that Holland were an emerging power in world
football. The Dutch team included such quality players as Cruyff, Van Hanegem,
Krol and Keizer, and England's defenders had to work flat out to hold them.
Mick Jones, playing his first international match for four years, was
substituted by Geoff Hurst after seventy minutes. Ian Storey-Moore, making his
one and only England appearance, had a good-looking headed goal disallowed.
The referee blew the final whistle as Bobby Charlton unleashed one of his
specials that flew into the net, but too late to count. It was another
milestone match for Bobby, who in his ninety-eight international overtook the
Billy Wright record of sixty-seven matches against overseas opposition.
No
213
Belgium, Brussels, 25.2.70. England won 3-1
Banks Wright Cooper Moore* Labone
Hughes
Lee Ball2
Osgood Hurst1
Peters
Highlights: Alan Ball was rewarded for one of his
typically non-stop performances with two goals in appalling conditions in
rain-lashed Brussels. Geoff Hurst scored the other goal against a punchless
Belgium team which had Paul van Himst as their one world-class player.
Chelsea's graceful but unpredictable Peter Osgood made a quietly satisfactory
debut in snowy conditions. The game was won by England in midfield, where Ball
and Peters were outstanding on a quagmire of a pitch that made every step a
challenge.
No
214
Wales, Ninian Park, 18.4.70. Drew 1-1
Banks Wright Hughes Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee1
Ball Charlton R. Hurst Peters
Highlights: Sir Alf Ramsey was shaping his tactics for the
coming defence of the World Cup, and had settled on a 4-4-2 formation with
Francis Lee and Geoff Hurst as the two front runners supported from midfield
by Alan Mullery, Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton and Martin Peters. There was press
criticism of the system after England had struggled to hold Wales, Lee
salvaging a draw with a spectacular solo goal after Dick Krzywicki had given
the Welsh a well-deserved lead. Sir Alf said later that he was satisfied with
the performance. 'Everything we do now is with Mexico in mind,' he said. 'We
must adapt the way we play for the conditions we will meet out there.'
No
215
Northern Ireland, Wembley, 21.4.70. England won 3-1
Banks Newton (Bell) Hughes Mullery Moore*
Stiles
Coates Kidd Charlton R.1
Hurst1
Peters1
Highlights:
Bobby Charlton led the team out in his hundredth appearance in an England
shirt and celebrated with his forty-eighth goal. Peters, now of Tottenham, and
Hurst were also on the mark to give England a comfortable victory. George
Best, Charlton's gifted Manchester United clubmate, gave Northern Ireland a
rare moment of supremacy when he took advantage of dithering in the England
defence to turn a half chance into a goal. Ralph Coates and Brian Kidd had
their international careers launched as Sir Alf Ramsey searched for his ideal
combination for the World Cup finals.
No
216
Scotland, Hampden Park, 25.4.70. Drew 0-0
Banks Newton Hughes Stiles Labone Moore*
Thompson (Mullery) Ball Astle Hurst Peters
Highlights: This was England's final game before flying
off for the World Cup warm-up games in South America, and the Scots were hell
bent on giving them a morale-sapping defeat as a farewell present. England
were equally determined not to be beaten and the game became bogged down in a
midfield stalemate. A buffeting wind whipped around Hampden and made ball
control difficult, robbing the 137,438 spectators of what had been an
anticipated classic. The game produced the first goalless draw between
Scotland and England since the first ever international football match between
them back in1872.
No
217
Colombia, Bogota, 20.5.70. England won 4-0
Banks Newton Cooper Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee Ball1
Charlton R.1
Hurst Peters2
Highlights: England arrived in Bogota after two weeks
altitude training in Mexico. Sir Alf Ramsey fielded what he considered his
number one World Cup team and two goals from Martin Peters and one each from
Bobby Charlton and Alan Ball gave England a comfortable victory at an altitude
of 8,600 feet high up in the spectacular Andes mountains. England were a goal
up in just ninety seconds from a deft header by Peters, .and were rarely
troubled by a Colombian side that played a neat passing game but without
penalty area punch. This 4-4-2 line-up featured Francis Lee and Geoff Hurst
working in tandem up front and supported by a midfield quartet of Alan Mullery,
Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton and Martin Peters. Everton skipper Brian Labone had
taken over from Jack Charlton at the heart of the defence, and only Gordon
Banks and Bobby Moore had survived from the fortress that had been so
impressive in the 1966 World Cup finals.
No
218
Ecuador, Quito, 24.5.70. England won 2-0
Banks Newton Cooper Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee1
(Kidd1)
Ball Charlton R. (Sadler) Hurst Peters
Highlights: England literally went up into the clouds for
this final warm-up match before the start of their World Cup defence. Quito is
more than 9,000 feet above sea level, and the ball swerved around like a
boomerang. Francis Lee gave England the lead and was then substituted in the
seventieth minute by Brian Kidd, who scored a second goal. Ironically, Kidd
had been told he was one of six players not included in the final World Cup
squad of twenty-two. It was during a stop-over in Bogota on the flight back to
Mexico that Bobby Moore was arrested on a trumped-up jewel-theft charge
following an allegation that he had stolen a bracelet from a hotel shop. He
was held under house arrest for five days before the British ambassador
negotiated his release. It would be another two years before his name was
finally cleared. Nobody who knew Bobby ever doubted his innocence.
No
219
Romania, World Cup, Guadalajara, 2.6.70. England won 1-0
Banks Newton (Wright) Cooper Mullery Labone
Moore*
Lee (Osgood) Ball Charlton R. Hurst1
Peters
Highlights:
England started their World Cup defence as they had finished it in 1966, with
Geoff Hurst emerging as the goal-scoring hero. His goal in the seventieth
minute - the ball going through the legs of the Rumanian goalkeeper - was
enough to give England a winning send-off. Captain Bobby Moore, back with the
squad after his harrowing experience in Colombia, was the outstanding defender
on the pitch. It was a satisfactory rather than spectacular start by England
against opponents who concentrated solely on defence in a bid to squeeze a
draw out of a hard-fought match. The one worry for England was an injury to
right-back Keith Newton, but his Everton clubmate Tommy Wright proved a sound
substitute.
No
220
Brazil, World Cup, Guadalajara, 7.6.70. England lost 1-0
Banks Wright Cooper Mullery Labone Moore*
Lee (Astle) Ball Charlton R. (Bell) Hurst Peters
Highlights: An astonishing save by Gordon Banks from a header by Pele
inspired England and found its way into the land of footballing legend. The
game was staged in the heat of the mid-day sun on a scorching Sunday that was
ideally suited for a siesta rather than soccer. Only mad dogs and footballers
would have gone out in such sweltering 98-degree conditions, and at a thin-air
altitude that made walking let alone running a challenge. The match was just
ten minutes old and goalless when the master of all strikers - Pele – came
face to face with a genius among goalkeepers - Gordon Banks - in a High Noon
duel. Carlos Alberto, Brazilian right-back and captain,
pushed a carefully calculated pass down the right wing into the path of the
skilled Jairzinho, who suddenly and dramatically accelerated past Terry Cooper
to the by-line. He then stabbed a centre into the goalmouth that seemed to
hang invitingly for Pele, who had instinctively read the situation as only he
could. He had got himself perfectly positioned beyond his marker Alan Mullery
to meet the ball. The master climbed above the ball and headed it with
ferocious power down - and so he thought - into the net. Mullery later
reported that Pele shouted 'Goal!' as the ball flew off his head. So did most
spectators in the stadium, including the commentators sending their
descriptive phrases around the world to millions of television viewers and
radio listeners. Banks looked rooted on the wrong side of goal but suddenly,
with the blurring speed of a panther, sprinted and then dived to his right and
somehow managed to get an outstretched hand under the ball to flick it up and
away over the bar. Pele stopped dead in mid-celebration to mourn what had
somehow become a missed chance. This moment of astounding gymnastics from
Banks inspired England to give the eventual world champions their hardest
match of the tournament, but after a magnificent battle they finally succumbed
to a superbly drilled shot by Jairzinho on the hour. He cut in from the right
to score after an arrowing Tostao pass and a deft, perfectly delivered pass
from Pele had ripped open the middle of the England defence. Jeff Astle had a
gilt-edged chance to equalise within moments of coming on as a substitute but
- yes, even in those heatwave conditions - he was caught cold and shot tamely
wide. A lasting memory of the match for all those lucky enough to have
witnessed the classic confrontation is of Bobby Moore and Pele cuddling each
other before swapping shirts, two masters of the game recognising each other's
genius. Evidence that the England players had given their all is that several
of them lost up to ten pounds in weight after running round in the mid-day sun
so that the World Cup organizers could satisfy the deadline demands of the
great god of world-wide television. The millions tuned into the match will
always recall it for having seen one of the saves of the century.
No
221
Czechoslovakia, World Cup, Guadalajara, 11.6.70. England
won 1-0
Banks Newton Cooper Mullery Charlton J.
Moore*
Bell Charlton R. (Ball) Astle (Osgood) Clarke1
Peters
Highlights:
Allan Clarke volunteered for penalty duty in his first England international
appearance, and showed an ice-cool temperament as he slotted home a disputed
forty-eighth minute spot-kick that clinched a place in the World Cup
quarter-finals. The only time the Czechs looked like scoring was when a
speculative shot from twenty-five yards by right-back Dobias swerved in the
thin air. Banks, at full stretch, managed to tip it on to the bar and as as
he turned the ball rebounded into his arms. It was a stuttering performance by
England, but they had managed to reach the quarter-finals where, waiting for
them, were of all teams West Germany. Sir Alf Ramsey's poor PR performance -
he was sullen and cold when approached by the world's media - worked against
England, and it seemed all neutrals wanted to see the Germans gain revenge
for their defeat in the final at Wembley in 1966.
No
222
West Germany, World Cup, Leon, 14.6.70. England lost 3-2 (aet)
Bonetti Newton Cooper Mullery1
Labone Moore*
Lee Ball Charlton R. (Bell) Hurst Peters1
(Hunter)
Highlights: There was a huge blow to England when at the
last minute goalkeeper Gordon Banks had to withdraw because of a stomach
upset. Montezumah's revenge had never been harsher, robbing England of the
best goalkeeper in the world. Peter Bonetti, who had not played a full
competitive match since the end of the previous club season, was called in as
emergency deputy. England were in command for sixty nine minutes thanks to
goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters in stifling conditions. Franz
Beckenbauer pulled the Germans back into the game with a shot that Bonetti
would have saved nine times out of ten. Sir Alf Ramsey immediately sent on
Colin Bell as substitute for Bobby Charlton, who was being saved for a
semi-final that never came England's way. German substitute Jurgen Grabowski
was running rings round exhausted left-back Terry Cooper, and Ramsey decided
on a second substitution, sending on Norman Hunter for Peters in a bid to
stiffen the defence. With Ch
England
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