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England were the firm favourites,
they had never lost to West Germany, they were playing at Wembley and
they had reached the dying minutes of the semi-final before conceding
their first goal. The final began on a wet pitch with some lively attacks
from both sides. But the first goal came from a defensive error. Ray Wilson headed the ball into the
path of Helmut Haller who, from 12 yards out, stroked an accurate shot
past Gordon Banks and into the back of the England net. England's equiliser
came just six minutes later. Bobby Moore took immediate advantage of a
free-kick, taking it before the german defence could regroup. An unmarked
Geoff Hurst came drifting towards the near post and headed the ball firmly
past Tilkowski.
Both sides lay exhausted on the pitch
before play resumed. Only ball appeared to have any energy left as he
ran down the wing to let loose a drive which Tilkowski tipped over. In
the tenth minute he chased Stiles ball down the right wing, collected
it and passed to Hurst inside the area. Hurst's shot hit the bar, bounced
down and then out. Did it cross the line?, the referee and linesman conferred
and the goal was given. Foe 20 minutes, while the sun gradually flooded
the pitch in bright light, England repelled all German attempts to equilise.
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The
second half began with more rain. It was a period defensive stalemate
until the 78th minute. Alan Ball, the youngest and most tireless player
in the England team, broke the deadlock by forcing a corner, when Tilkowski
saved his shot. Ball took the corner himself, finding Hurst who shot from
outside the area. The ball spun off Hottges left foot and up in a gentle
arc, falling invitingly in front of Martin Peters, who calmly volleyed
it into the net. Four minutes from time, Bobby Charlton missed a goalscoring
opportunity when he shot wide. Then drama - in the last minute, a free-kick
was awarded to Germany for a disputed foul on Held by Jack Charlton. Emmerich's
shot hit the wall before falling at the far post for Wolfgang Weber, who
swept it in to force extra time.
A
Seeler header in the last minute was the final German effort. Moore collected
the ball, moved foward and played a long pass through to Hurst, almost
alone in the German half. A tired Hurst dragged himself towards the German
goal, and some boys, thinking the game had finished, came onto the pitch
to celebrate. Millions of viewers recall the famous words of Kenneth Wolstenholme's
commentary: 'They think it's all over', and then, 'it is now!' as Hurst
shot powerfully home for his hat-trick.