Did it cross the line? SIXTY YEARS later, and people are STILL arguing about Geoff Hurst's second goal in the 1966 World Cup Final! The England striker smashed the ball against the crossbar, it bounced DOWN onto the line — or was it OVER the line? — and the referee gave the goal after consulting the linesman. West Germany protested, England celebrated, and the most controversial goal in World Cup history was born! The debate will NEVER end!
Country: England Opponent: West Germany Year: 1966 Round: Final Score: England 4-2 West Germany (AET) Minute: 101'
The Moment
- Hurst's shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down on or near the goal line
- Soviet linesman Tofiq Bahramov awarded the goal, ruling the ball had crossed the line
- Modern technology and analysis suggest the ball did NOT fully cross the line
- It remains the most debated goal in World Cup history, more than 60 years later
- Hurst completed his hat-trick in the final minute — the only hat-trick in a World Cup Final
The Verdict
Did it cross the line? Probably not, if we are being honest. But the drama, the controversy, the fact that it happened in the FINAL — that is what makes it legendary. Geoff Hurst scored the most debated goal in football history, and it gave England their only World Cup!
Tomorrow: #15 — Stay tuned for the next legendary goal!
