To the accompaniment of expressions of praise, thanksgiving, and, in some cases, undisguised disbelief, England became football champions of the world by defeating West Germany 4-2 on Saturday at Wembley. This was the first occasion on which England had won the magnificent Jules Rimet trophy, and the first in which extra time had been necessary in a World Cup final since Italy defeated Czechoslovakia in Rome in 1934.
Let us therefore praise famous men and their forefathers who taught the world how to play football, even though it is not quite the same game nowadays. The flowers seldom come out like the picture on the packet anyway. The cynics, myself included, have been put to flight, Mr A. E. Ramsey╒s unwavering belief in ultimate success has been endorsed, and with a few minor reservations I gladly help speed the abdication of convention and salute England. What else, to be honest, can anyone do?
Those reservations may be dealt with summarily. England╒s tactical plan presumably can be accepted as the basic pattern for future campaigns. Fair enough. It has justified itself. Whether Football League sides henceforth will decide to follow suit is their affair, but so far as England are concerned, Mr. Ramsey himself surely must concede that the forward line, or whatever they call it in the modern idiom, still lacks someone capable of delivering a ╥killer╙ punch. Someone like R. Charlton on his better days ╤ this was not one of them ╤ R. Smith, or if I dare mention them, Lofthouse or Mortensen. There is still time. R. Charlton has done more than his share and can be excused for feeling rather jaded.
In retrospect, many people found this final less satisfying than the semi-final between England and Portugal. It was generally sporting and there was a great deal of endeavour. Yet the England defence looked less secure than its fine record suggested, and some good scoring chances were squandered by both teams.
To be fair, however, it was a severe test for the nerves, and the turf was treacherous after heavy rain. Thunder and lightning formed a backcloth fit for a performance of Gotterdèmmerung. In the event it was the twilight of the German gods not the English, and mistakes or no mistakes, the majority of the spectators were content. And those from Germany were proud in defeat.
If the England defence inclined occasionally towards apprehension and doubt ╤ and it faced accomplished and resolute opposition ╤ it nonetheless included the game╒s outstanding performer, Moore. This is no slight on Banks, who to my way of thinking has had no peer as a goalkeeper in the whole series. Seeler harassed Moore relentlessly in the air, but the England captain restored the balance on the ground. He rallied his men superbly when mental and physical strain threatened to exact a heavy toll and if memory is to be trusted, he never misdirected a pass. It was Moore╒s victory as much as England╒s.
Ball cannot have worked harder in his life. He and Stiles were almost twin souls even to the extent of disagreeing with some of the referee╒s decisions. They played until they were entitled to drop, but neither of them knows the meaning of the word ╥surrender╙. They never will be everyone╒s cup of tea, so to say. Occasional naughtiness apart, however, they are first class fighting men and England cannot do without them.
West Germany, defeated as they were, gave an exhibition of disciplined teamwork worthy of the occasion and of their traditions. Indeed, there were periods, particularly midway through the second half, when they were the superior side. Not often shall we see more accurate heading under pressure, nor more precise passing under any circumstances. England more than once had to thank Banks, Moore, and the ubiquitous Ball for relief.
Seeler was afforded little enough scope to indulge his sorcery, but Haller, Held, and Overath combined effectively, and Schulz and Schnellinger gave cool, calculated performances which were not confined to restrictive practices. Method is a dominant trait of the German race and on Saturday it was very much in evidence. England╒s success, therefore, was the more to be commended.
A weak header by Wilson, probably his only serious lapse in the entire tournament, enabled Haller to put West Germany in front after twelve minutes. Shortly afterwards Overath fouled Moore who from forty yards floated the free kick perfectly and Hurst headed a good equaliser.
Twelve minutes from normal time, Hottges fluffed a kick and Peters put England in front. Only fifteen seconds remained when J. Charlton launched himself above Held and headed the ball away. The referee must have thought there had been some pushing and awarded a free kick against Charlton. Emmerich took it and the ball finally arrived at Weber who scored from close in.
Early in extra time Tilkowski made a great save from Ball, and R. Charlton hit a post. In the 102nd minute Hurst drove the ball against the underside of the crossbar whence it bounced down over the line. Or did it? The referee consulted T. Bakhramov, one of the linesmen who had registered no sort of emotion ╤ Russians seldom do ╤ and awarded a goal, quite rightly in my opinion although one or two of the Germans had other ideas. Just before the end, Hurst called on the last reserves of his energy and scored a fourth goal.
