ENGLAND 4-2 WEST GERMANY

Having predicted that his team would win the World Cup on home soil in 1966, England manager Alf Ramsey had got within one match of proving himself correct when his team lined up against West Germany for the eighth World Cup final. With both teams unchanged from their semi-final wins, Ramsey had continued to controversially pick Geoff Hurst over a fit again Jimmy Greaves, who had been injured early in the tournament.

England could not have imagined a much worse start to the final when they fell behind in only the 12th minute, Helmut Haller pouncing on a poor clearance by left back Ray Wilson to shoot West Germany ahead. The host nation did not take long to respond however, and were on level terms within six minutes when a quick free kick from captain Bobby Moore found Hurst who headed England level. The score was level at 1-1 at half-time.

England were the dominant side for much of the second half, but it appeared that their pressure would come to nothing as the second goal failed to materialise. With just twelve minutes to go however, England's patience was rewarded. Hurst's shot from a corner was only half cleared and fell to Martin Peters who struck home the goal that appeared to have won the World Cup. With the seconds ticking away as the match entered injury time, West Germany won a controversial free kick for a foul by Jack Charlton. The ball was fired into the England six-yard box and hit several players before falling at the feet of Wolfgang Weber, who shattered England's dreams with a dramatic equaliser.

Ramsey was faced with the task of picking up his team for extra-time, and famously told his players "You've beaten them once, now go out and do it again." Ten minutes into extra-time came arguably the most controversial moment in football history. Hurst's shot from an Alan Ball cross hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down - England claimed a goal as the German defence cleared for a corner. Referee Dienst consulted his Soviet linesman Tofik Bakhramov, who gave a goal. West Germany were furious, but England led 3-2.

There was no way back for West Germany, and England sealed World Cup glory when Hurst completed a unique hat-trick in the dying seconds of the match - to this day the only hat-trick in a World Cup final. England were the fifth team in row to come from behind to win the final, and the third hosts to take the Cup. Amid jubilant scenes all around Wembley, Bobby Moore collected the cup from Queen Elizabeth II.