Welcome to the second of my three-part series commemorating the 50th anniversary of England’s knock-out stage matches of the 1966 World Cup.
England had progressed to the last four of the tournament by beating Argentina in the quarter-final, as detailed in Saturday’s article. They joined an all-European last four which also contained Portugal, West Germany and the USSR.
The semi-final took place 50 years ago today, on Tuesday 26th July 1966 – England’s opponents were Portugal in front of 94,493 at Wembley, although the match was originally scheduled to be played at Everton’s Goodison Park. Increased ticketing revenue possibilities were exploited though and the other semi-final between the Germans and Soviets was switched from Wembley to Merseyside with England entertaining the Portuguese at the national stadium. Portugal had reached the semi-final by beating Hungary 3-1, Bulgaria 3-0 and holders Brazil 3-1 in the group stage before coming back from 3-0 down to beat North Korea 5-3 in their quarter-final. Portugal, having beaten Brazil and North Korea at Goodison, accused FIFA of favouritism towards the home nation by switching the venue of the semi-final.
Alf Ramsey named an unchanged XI from the quarter-final, meaning Alan Ball and Geoff Hurst kept their places. Portugal were renowned for their attacking ability and named a front four of Jose Augusto, Eusebio, Jose Torres and Antonio Simoes, all of whom played for domestic giants Benfica. Eusebio had already scored seven goals in four matches prior to the semi-final, playing as a central striker in a bold 4-2-4 formation. England, conversely, had yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
England won the match 2-1, with all three goals shared by two truly world-class players, still rightly revered amongst the game’s greats. Bobby Charlton bagged a brace for the host nation while Eusebio provided Portugal’s goal, which was to ultimately prove to be a consolation strike. England took the lead on the half-hour – Everton left-back Ray Wilson, winning his 50th cap, played the ball through to Liverpool striker Roger Hunt who shot against the onrushing goalkeeper Jose Pereira. The ball broke for Charlton on the edge of the penalty area and the Manchester United man dispatched the ball clinically into the net.
West Ham United’s Geoff Hurst had a crucial role in the second, and ultimately match-winning, goal with ten minutes left to play. Fulham right-back George Cohen played a pass in behind the Portuguese defence and Hurst used his strength to hold off Jose Carlos before playing the perfect lay-off into the path of the onrushing Charlton who smashed his shot beyond Pereira and into the net.
Barely two minutes later, Portugal were back in the game. Simoes crossed, Torres headed for goal and Leeds defender Jack Charlton scooped the ball away with his hand. Eusebio converted the penalty to score his eighth of the World Cup to set up a nervy climax to the semi-final. It was the first goal England had conceded in their five tournament matches.
The Three Lions held on to claim a place in the Final at Wembley where they would face West Germany. Portugal, far more gallant and sporting in defeat than the previous visitors to Wembley, finished in third place after defeating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the third-place play-off, with Eusebio scoring again to claim the Golden Boot. Eusebio would also be named the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year for 1966, with West Ham United and England captain Bobby Moore winning the main award and Geoff Hurst finishing third.
Finally, a nod to those members of the Portugal team that day who are sadly no longer with us. Central midfield pair Jaime Graca and Mario Coluna have both passed away – Graca four years ago at the age of 70 and captain Coluna two years ago at the age of 78. The Benfica strike partnership of Eusebio and Jose Torres have also both passed away. Torres died of a heart attack aged 71 in 2010 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and the great Eusebio died of heart failure in 2014, also aged 71.
England: Gordon Banks (Leicester), George Cohen (Fulham), Jack Charlton (Leeds), Bobby Moore (captain, West Ham), Ray Wilson (Everton), Alan Ball (Blackpool), Nobby Stiles (Man Utd), Bobby Charlton (Man Utd), Martin Peters (West Ham), Roger Hunt (Liverpool), Geoff Hurst (West Ham).
Portugal: Jose Pereira (Belenenses), Alberto Festa (Porto), Alexandre Baptista (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Carlos (Sporting Lisbon), Hilario (Sporting Lisbon), Jaime Graca (Vitoria de Setubal), Mario Coluna (captain, Benfica), Jose Augusto (Benfica), Eusebio (Benfica), Jose Torres (Benfica), Antonio Simoes (Benfica).