1966

Notes

England won their only World Cup on home soil; Geoff Hurst's hat-trick in the final remains the only one in World Cup final history. The Final's controversial third goal (Hurst's shot off the crossbar) is still debated. North Korea — the first Asian team beyond Australasia at a WC — beat Italy 1-0 (Pak Doo-ik) and reached the QF, leading Portugal 3-0 before Eusébio's four goals turned it around. Brazil eliminated in groups; Pelé kicked out of the tournament. First WC mascot (World Cup Willie) and first WC with TV broadcast in colour. The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen before the tournament and recovered by Pickles the dog. Tournament total 89 includes 2 own goals not credited to individual squads (squad-credited sum: 87).

📚 Trivia

• finalsGeoff Hurst's hat-trick in the 1966 final (England 4-2 West Germany, after extra time) is the only hat-trick ever scored in a World Cup final. The third goal — a shot off the underside of the crossbar — remains controversial: did it cross the line? Russian linesman Tofiq Bahramov said yes.
• firstsWorld Cup Willie — a lion in a Union Jack jersey — was the first World Cup mascot. Every World Cup since 1966 has had one.
• awardsEusébio (Portugal) won the Golden Boot with 9 goals, including 4 in the QF as Portugal came back from 3-0 down vs North Korea to win 5-3 — still one of the great World Cup comebacks.
• matchesNorth Korea, on their World Cup debut, beat reigning Group 4 favourites Italy 1-0 (Pak Doo-ik, 42'). It is one of the most famous upsets in football history; the Italian squad were pelted with rotten tomatoes on their return home.
• contextThe Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from a public exhibition in London in March 1966, four months before the tournament. It was found a week later under a hedge in South London by a dog named Pickles. The trophy was stolen again — and never recovered — in Brazil in 1983.