England's only FIFA World Cup victory, decided by a controversial extra-time goal, remains the UK's most-watched television event with 32.3 million viewers.
Key Facts
- Final Score
- England 4–2 West Germany (AET)
- Attendance
- 96,924 spectators
- Peak UK TV Audience
- 32.3 million viewers
- Hurst Goals
- 3 (hat-trick) goals
- Controversial Goal Minute
- 101st minute
- World Cup Edition
- 8th FIFA World Cup
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
England hosted the 1966 FIFA World Cup, reaching the final against West Germany at Wembley Stadium. West Germany equalised in the 90th minute through Wolfgang Weber, cancelling out Martin Peters's 78th-minute goal and forcing extra time after a 2–2 draw at full time.
Played on 30 July 1966 at Wembley Stadium before 96,924 spectators, the final saw Geoff Hurst score three goals for England. His 101st-minute strike — awarded despite fierce dispute over whether the ball crossed the line — proved decisive, and his final goal in injury time sealed a 4–2 victory for England.
England claimed their first and only World Cup title. Hurst became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, a record that stood until 2022. The match set a UK television viewership record and cemented Wembley 1966 as the defining moment in English football history.
Result
at Wembley Stadium, London