England dispense with wingers
The ex-defender Ramsey brought a solid look to the England side. Nobby Stiles was the defensive anchor in front of a sohd back four. Ramsey had wingers Ian Callaghan, John Connelly and Terry Paine in his squad but as the tournament progressed he decided to dispense with wide players altogether. That added to the defensive solidity of the team; the question now was whether they would be able to break the opposition down and score themselves.
Progress to the knockout stage was unspectacular. A dull, goalless draw against Uruguay was followed by 2-0
Wins over Mexico and France. The quarter-final clash with Argentina was an explosive affair. The turning point came when Argentine captain Antonio Rattin was ordered off for verbally abusing the German referee after he had already been booked. There was a long delay as Rattin refused to leave the field. Geoff Hurst scored the game's only goal, a glancing header 13 minutes from time. Tire Hurst-Hunt strike parmership would continue for the rest of the tournament. Jimmy Greaves, the most prolific striker in the squad with 43 goals in just 51 appearances, had chosen tire worst possible moment to suffer a loss of form.
Opposite: A clash of headgear as an England supporter reaches to shake hands with a Mexican supporter wearing a giant sombrero before the opening match of the World Cup tournament between England and Uruguay on 11 July 1966.
Above: Greaves runs towards goal pursued by Uruguay's Ubinas in an inglorious beginning to England's World Cup campaign. Despite winning 16 corners and making 15 shots on goal, England did not score and the match ended in a draw.
World History
