1966 FIFA World Cup

The final round of the Football World Cup 1966, English:. Football World Championship, was the eighth playout this important tournament for football teams and was held from 11 to 30 July 1966 in England instead. For the first time the World Cup was in the " home of football " instead. Apart from England, Spain and Germany competed to host the World Cup in 1966. On August 22, 1960, voted in Rome at the World Congress of football on the award. When Spain withdrew his candidacy shortly before the vote, remained only two candidates. With 34:27 votes with six abstentions, finally the decision was made ​​in favor of England, was able to score with his argument that "100 years of football in England " (foundation of the Football Association 1863).

This World Cup is especially true from the German perspective as one of the outstanding, as final between England and Germany was the so-called Wembley goal - one of the most controversial and at the same time the most famous goals in World Cup history. Thus, the preliminary decision for England's first and only title win was like at a major final tournament.

The Portuguese Eusebio was top scorer with nine goals and led his team in their first World Cup participation to third place.

The Switzerland failed in the first round, Austria did not qualify for the tournament.

• 5.1 Group A
• 5.2 Group B
• 5.3 Group C
• 5.4 Group D

• 6.1 quarterfinals
• 6.2 Semi-finals
• 6.3 3rd place match
• 6.4 final
• 6.5 honors the runners

Venues

The World Cup games were played in eight stadiums in seven different English cities.

• London ( Wembley Stadium ): Wembley Stadium in London was the largest stadium in the World Cup 1966 It offered 98,600 spectators and was renovated before the World Cup for six million marks.. Especially for the World Cup only minor renovations were made. In Wembley five preliminary round matches in Group A, a quarter, a semi-final, the 3rd place match and the final took place.
• London ( White City Stadium ): In the White City Stadium, only one game of the preliminary round Group A was discharged. As the owner of Wembley Stadium refused a Greyhound racing too embarrassed a replacement stadium in London was necessary for the match France against Uruguay. In the White City Stadium were 54,000 spectators.
• Birmingham (Villa Park): In Villa Park Birmingham, the home of the first division club Aston Villa three matches in Group B took place. For DM 1.3 million, the stadium was renovated, the audience capacity was reduced from 72,000 to 55,000 in favor of seats.
• Sheffield ( Hillsborough Stadium ): The Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield during the World Cup had 58,000 seats. In the home of Sheffield Wednesday, the capacity was reduced to 7,000 seats in favor of seats. The main grandstand was rebuilt for 1.5 million marks, also a new steel roof got the stadium specially for the World Cup. A total of 2.5 million marks were spent on the renovation of the stadium. In addition to three group matches in Group B and a quarterfinal match in Hillsborough took place.
• Liverpool ( Goodison Park): The Goodison Park was 64,000 seats, the second largest stadium in the Football World Cup 1966 Also the home of Everton FC was reduced by 4,000 places to have more seats. . In Goodison Park three Group C matches, quarter -final and a semifinal pairing took place.
• Manchester ( Old Trafford ): At Old Trafford, home of Manchester United football club, found 58,000 spectators during the World Cup place. The capacity was to have more seats reduced to 9000 seats. A total of 1 Million Mark was put into the renovation. The Old Trafford has been the scene of three group matches the group C.
• Sunderland ( Roker Park): In Roker Park Sunderland took place during the World Cup of 54,000 spectators. For 700,000 marks a new restaurant and new press rooms were built for the World Cup as well as reduce the total capacity to 10,000 seats. In the home stadium of AFC Sunderland three preliminary round Group D games and a quarter final match took place.
• Middlesbrough ( Ayresome Park): The Ayresome Park was the smallest stadium in the World Cup in 1966 with 40,000 seats, the seating capacity was reduced in the home stadium of FC Middlesbrough to 9000. . The renovation costs amounted to a total of 1.2 million marks. The stadium was host space of three games in Group D.

Qualification

71 nations registered their participation in qualifying for the 1966 World Cup, which was a new record. England as hosts and Brazil as the defending champion had already qualified automatically, whereby 69 nations played a total of 14 seats available. All African teams withdrew their applications after they should get a place together with Asia and Oceania only. Europe stood at nine qualifying places, South America three. The North and Central American countries was only granted a place.

Both vice-champion of the past World Cup tournaments, Sweden and Czechoslovakia failed. With North Korea and Portugal were two teams for the first time here at the World Cup finals.

Participant

After 127 qualifiers were the following teams for the World Cup finals that:

Draw

The group draw took place on 6 January 1966 at the Royal Garden Hotel in London, and was first broadcast on television. The organizing committee agreed on the eve on four Lostöpfe à four teams.

• Pot 1: Brazil ( defending champion ), Argentina, Chile, Uruguay
• Pot 2: France, Italy, Portugal, Spain
• Pot 3: England ( host ), Germany, Soviet Union, Hungary
• Pot 4: Bulgaria, Mexico, North Korea, Switzerland

Defending champion Brazil was in Group C and hosts England was placed in group A than group head to play during the opening game allowed. Furthermore, Germany and Italy were set. An official opening match was played at this World Cup for the first time. After 15 minutes, the draw was over and it had been determined the four groups.

For information about each World Cup groups and cadres of the teams click on the link.

Mode

The tournament remained unchanged compared to the 1962 World Cup in Chile. The 16 participants met four preliminary groups with four teams each. Every once played against each other. For a victory, there were two points, one point for a draw. At point tie, the better Torquotient about the placement decision. Would also this same, the lot would have to decide.

The two first of each group qualified for the quarter-finals. From the quarter- finals in the tournament knock-out system has been discharged. In the quarterfinals, each a group first met on a runners-up.

Stand in a game of knockout round after 90 minutes no winner is determined, a two 15 -minute extra time was played. Had there been even after this additional time to draw the lot would have been used to decide again. In the finals, this scheme was abolished. If after the first final match decided a winner, a replay would have been recognized. If after this no winner stood firm, the lot would have been used. However, a drawing of lots was never necessary at this World Cup.

Preliminary round

Group A

England mastered the preliminaries as expected. After a goalless opener against Uruguay both Mexico and France could be defeated with 2-0 each. With the services shown, the English fans were not satisfied, the longed-for world title seemed unreachable after this start.

Uruguay could reach the second place in the group stage and thus qualify for the quarter-finals. With a draw against England and a win against France had practically already reached the quarter-finals. Due to a goalless draw against Mexico, the Charrúas but gave away the potential group winners. The play of two-time world champion has been criticized as extremely defensive and hard.

Mexico was eliminated, as in all previous World Cup in the first round. With Antonio Carbajal had at least one player in the squad, who completed his fifth World Cup and a record aufstellte that was set by Lothar Matthäus in 1998.

France could not connect to this power in his first appearance after the third course of 1958. Only a point against Mexico in the opening match they had at the end of the account.

Group B

Germany defeated Switzerland 5-0 to kick off the and was a 0-0 draw against Argentina and a 2-1 win over group winners Spain. In the preliminary round in particular fell on the 20-year old Franz Beckenbauer.

Argentina presented with a opening victory over Spain the foundation for reaching the quarter- finals. In the end, the team had to settle for second place only because of the goal difference against the Federal Republic of Germany.

European champions Spain could, although equipped with many stars from the local Primera Division and Serie A, do not reach the quarter-finals. After a defeat against Argentina and a lucky 2-1 win over Switzerland, the decisive match against the German team with 1:2 lost.

The Switzerland came in this tournament to their limits. Without large single -rounder, the Swiss could not defy the established teams. In particular, the weak defense made ​​a surprise performance of the Swiss impossible.

Group C

Portugal positive surprise as a freshman. With bold attacking football, led by Eusebio, the Portuguese were able to celebrate as a group the first collection in the last eight. All three games were won convincingly in their last group game to beat the reigning world champion, thus ensuring its sensational Vorrundenaus. Hungary could just as Portugal surprising place ahead of Brazil. With Flórián Albert, Ferenc Bene and Gyula Rákosi Hungary possessed a great attack potential, which was found mainly responsible for the place in the next round. Thus, Brazil had their first defeat in a World Cup after 12 years to accept that against Hungary at that time at the World Cup in 1954 with 2:4, was also. Brazil retired as the reigning world champion in the preliminary round. The overaged team was not to achieve a victory in a position against Hungary and Portugal after the injury- related retirement of Pelé. With the departure of Brazil the title favorite was surprisingly eliminated. Bulgaria was not about the role of extras in addition to group 3. As with the 1962 World Cup divided the Bulgarian team from the Table.

Group D

The Soviet Union played the preliminary round sovereign. All three games were won, this is conceded only a goal. Although unspectacular, but with sober and solid performances drew the Soviet Union safely before the next round.

North Korea was the surprise team in the first round. As an absolute outsider started and smiled at the latest after the 0-3 defeat against the Soviet Union as an opportunity -less exotic, the North Koreans showed not considered possible performance by initially fought against Chile a point before the Italian Superstars sensational with 1: 0 beat and thus advancing to the last eight.

Italy arbitration absolutely surprising for after the preliminary round. After a victory over Chile and a narrow defeat against the Soviet Union, the entire professional world expected an easy victory against the North Koreans. But was by a sensational 0-1 defeat for the Azzurri after the first round deadline. When you return to the homeland, the Italian players were welcomed by their immeasurably disappointed fans with tomatoes and rotten fruit.

Chile was not able to connect to the power in the previous tournament. Traveled as a World Cup bronze medalist, would retire as a Table with only one point.

Final round

1 win after extra time

Quarterfinals

In the quarterfinals, the group first established themselves in all the games. In the game between hosts England and Argentina was the German referee Rudolf Kreitlein involuntary protagonist, having already represented the Argentine Antonio Rattín after half an hour from the square and thus the British prepared a great advantage that they could use it. However Rattín refused to leave the pitch. The game was interrupted and Rattín was led by English officers from the square. Especially in the Argentine press Kreitlein was attacked after this game.

Germany defeated Uruguay 4-0. Two restraining orders against the South Americans shortly after the break made ​​it easier for the German team, however, play out a high result. Scorers were Haller ( 11, 83 ), Beckenbauer ( 70 ) and Seeler ( 75 ).

The match Portugal against North Korea went down in World Cup history as one of the most dramatic games. After 25 minutes, North Korea was already leading 3-0 and it looked then as if the outsider could continue his incredible triumph, but Eusébio made ​​almost single-handedly for the turn: he scored four goals between the 27th and 59th minutes, and prepared the fifth before. Portugal went by in his first World Cup finals semi-finals.

The Soviet Union could also prevail in the quarterfinals. The Hungarians did not manage to retrieve their performance in the preliminary round match against the Brazilians again. The Soviets won thanks to their strong defensive and goalkeeper Lev Yashin and their fast strikers, which repeatedly showed counterattack opportunities.

Semifinal

The German team reached a World Cup final with victory over the Soviet Union for the second time. The goals were scored by the two best German players of the tournament: Helmut Haller in the 43rd and Franz Beckenbauer in the 68th minute. The first goal of the USSR in the 88th minute through Porkujan came too late.

The Englishman sat down against Portugal by 2-1. Portugal, England was indeed mostly equal, but understood the English to make countable from their moves. In addition, Eusébio was successfully taken by Nobby Stiles in man coverage. His eighth Turniertor scored the Portuguese star striker yet, but only in the 82nd minute with a penalty to 1:2 draw.

3rd Place Match

In the match for 3rd place, the Portuguese closed their World Cup debut on the third place. The winner of the Portuguese did not come until the 88th minute.

Final

The final of the 1966 World Cup between England and the Federal Republic of Germany began furiously. Already after 20 minutes into the match with goals by Helmut Haller ( 12 ) and Geoff Hurst ( 18 ) 1:1. Twelve minutes before the end of regular time, the British were able to go through Martin Peters in the lead, but the German defender Wolfgang Weber succeeded in stoppage time with his first international goal nor the compensation.

In 101 minutes the legendary Wembley goal was scored. Hurst shot the ball to the underside of the bar, the vertical bounced down from there before he was beheaded a corner of Weber. Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst decided after consultation with linesman Tofiq Bəhramov on target. Hurst increased in the final minute of the second period of extra time still to 4-2. Although these results would be irregular under normal circumstances, since there were already spectators on the field, the final score remained at 4-2 after extra time. England was becoming the first and so far only time soccer World Cup.

Honors the runners

The German national team was in Germany for Team of the Year, Franz Beckenbauer Footballer of the Year in Germany and Bobby Charlton to England Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year ( Second here Eusébio and Franz Beckenbauer was third ) selected. Bobby Moore was voted Sportsman of the Year in the UK.

World champions England England

The World Champion Team: Gordon Banks; George Cohen, Bobby Moore, Ramon Wilson; Jack Charlton, John Connelly, Terence Paine, Nobby Stiles, Alan Ball, Ian Callaghan, Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves, Roger Hunt, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters. - Coach: Alf Ramsey

Top scorers

In addition, there were 24 other players, each with one hit. There were also two own goals.

Conclusion

The 1966 World Cup was in comparison to the 1962 World Cup in Chile a significant advance. During four years earlier dominated a defensive destructive to play, the games were again conducted with fairness and sportsmanship. Although there were five dismissals, but four of which were distributed solely to the two South American teams from Uruguay and Argentina, which provoked negative headlines with their hard pace. The 2 -3- 5 system, which was still largely practiced in the 1962 World Cup, was four years later discontinued and replaced by the 4-3-3 and 4-2- 4 system.

Teams which were set at this World Cup a total defensive tactics, so were not successful. Neither Italy nor Chile or Uruguay could provide some impetus in this tournament. This World Cup was marked by those teams who were able to put on the offensive, led by Portugal (17 goals in six games) and Germany (15 goals in six games). Nevertheless, the average of goals scored per game was against the unchanged from 1962 (2.8 ), which was mainly because there was no "chance -less " team. Even " football dwarfs " such as North Korea been able to balance out the games.

Special

In the 1966 FIFA World Cup for the first and only time were not played national anthems before kick-off. This was due to the fact that the United Kingdom had no diplomatic relations with North Korea World Cup participants and refused to play the North Korean anthem. In view of the FIFA decided not to pursue any national anthems during the tournament. Only the final was excluded from this special.