From Gazza’s heroic tears and Geoff Hurst’s thunderbolt to Michael Owen’s ’98 wondergoal and David Beckham’s redemptive penalty against Argentina: These are OLIVER HOLT’S 30 most iconic England World Cup moments… but what’s No 1?

The history of England’s greatest moments at the World Cup is, with one glorious exception, a prelude to a fall. It is a history of great hope followed, with one glorious exception, either by heroic failure or utterly miserable failure.England’s history for the last 60 years is of a country that feels it ought to be winning the World Cup every single time and never does. It is a triumph of optimism and delusion over reality. England thinks it is Brazil or Germany or Italy when it is actually Belgium or Uruguay.And so, for our greatest moments, we look to 1966 and then we clutch at the straws of cameos. And there have been some beautiful cameos that have made our souls sing and act as our comfort even in the midst of all those failure.30. Nobby Stiles dances a jig on the Wembley pitch after the ’66 finalMarco Tardelli’s goal celebration in the 1982 World Cup final was the picture of joy. Stiles’ jig, as he holds the Jules Rimet trophy aloft, was England’s understated version. Nobby Stiles (left) does his famous jig while Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters celebrate 1966 World Cup glory for England29. Callum Wilson square pass against Iran at 2022 World CupMaybe you’ll think this innocuous but it caught my imagination at the time and I still admire it now. Wilson, a born goalscorer, was clean through at the end of England’s opening group game against Iran. His team was already 5-1 up. It turned out to be his best chance to score at a World Cup. But instead of shooting, he looked up and passed the ball square to Jack Grealish, who tapped it home. It was the epitome of unselfish, team play from a fine forward. It was the kind of team spirit that fuelled England’s success under Gareth Southgate. Jack Grealish slides the ball home after Callum Wilson’s act of generosity in 202228. England’s training base at the 2014 World CupThe less said about England’s performances on the pitch in Brazil, the better. But their training base in Rio de Janeiro was the most spectacular they’ve ever used. In the district of Urca, it overlooked the South Atlantic and was in the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain. England’s remarkable training base at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil27. David Beckham’s free-kick against Colombia at 1998 World CupEngland needed to beat Colombia to be assured of getting through to the knock-out stages of the 1998 World Cup. Beckham had been largely ignored by manager Glenn Hoddle and criticised for lacking focus but after a defeat to Romania, Hoddle picked him in the starting line-up for the game in Lens. Beckham’s response was a sublime 30-yard free kick that sealed a 2-0 victory and set him up for his date with destiny, and Diego Simeone, a few days later. David Beckham curls in his free-kick against Colombia at France ‘9826. Jimmy Greaves catches a dog in Chile 1962I hate the idea of Greaves being associated with sadness at the World Cup. English football’s greatest ever goalscorer missed out on the latter stages of the 1966 tournament after he was injured and lost his place to Geoff Hurst. But he played an amusing cameo at the previous World Cup in Chile. During the quarter-final against Brazil, a dog ran on to the pitch and stopped play. Greaves approached it and got down on all fours to talk to it. Then he grabbed it and handed it to an official. It was a small victory.25. Wayne Rooney’s sending off in the 2006 quarter-finalsIf you’re going to get sent off, if you’re going to take out your frustrations about lack-lustre performances, you might as well do it with feeling. Wayne Rooney’s stamp on Ricardo Carvalho foul fits into that category. He got his money’s worth for his red card. Wayne Rooney stamps on Ricardo Carvalho in the 2006 quarter-final and is sent off24. Frank Lampard’s goal that never was at South Africa 2010In the instant it happened, it was one of England’s greatest moments at World Cups. Frank Lampard lobbed the ball over Manuel Neuer and it bounced down off the crossbar and over the line. Well, well over the line. Not even close. In that instant, England were staging one of the great World Cup comebacks. They had been 2-0 down to Germany but then Matt Upson had pulled a goal back and now Lampard had scored again to make it 2-2. Except the referee waved play on and England ended up being humbled. The mistake paved the way for the introduction of goalline technology. It was scant consolation for England’s players. Frank Lampard’s shot against Germany in 2010 clearly crosses the line. But the ‘goal’ is not given23. Paul Gascoigne’s Cruyff turn in 0-0 draw against Holland in 1990There was not an awful lot else to recommend this 0-0 draw but this was the tournament lit up by Gazza. His turn, past Ronald Koeman, near the Holland goalline, was the kind of moment of wonderful skill we usually associate with other nations. Amid England’s uncertain start to the tournament, it was a sign of things to come.22. Gary Lineker’s first-half hat-trick against Poland in 1986England lost one and drew one of their first two group matches in Mexico and were staring at elimination when they played Poland in their final game. I was at college then. Some of my friends were yelling at the television set in the opening matches, and Lineker was one of the objects of their wrath. But he scored three superb goals in a first half blitz of the Poles. The second, created by a brilliant first-time pass from Peter Beardsley and a curling cross from Steve Hodge, was a beautiful team goal. Then came the Hand of God. Lineker scored a remarkable first-half hat-trick against Poland in 1986 to spark England’s run to the quarter-finals 21. Owen Hargreaves’ performance against Portugal in 2006Hargreaves was booed by England fans when he came on in our opening game against Ecuador in Germany. An absurd narrative had been allowed to take hold that he was some sort of impostor. He was anything but. After Wayne Rooney had been sent off in the quarter-final against Portugal in Gelsenkirchen, Hargreaves played like a superhuman in the heart of England’s midfield, helping keep England in the game. It was one of best individual performances I’ve seen from a player in an England shirt, even if it was scant consolation when Portugal won on penalties.20. Gary Lineker’s goals against Cameroon at Italia ’90 England were 2-1 down against the Indomitable Lions when the brilliance of Gary Lineker saved them. Lineker’s prominence as a pundit sometimes obscures the memory of what an outstanding striker he was and he was never more deadly than in this game. At 2-1 down, he won a penalty and slotted it past the goalkeeper. At 2-2, he ran on to a threadneedle pass from Paul Gascoigne, took the ball around the goalkeeper and was brought down. This time, he smashed the penalty down the middle. England had a place in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 24 years. Lineker celebrates scoring his second penalty of the match to give England a 3-2 victory over Cameroon in 1990 19. Harry Kane’s penalty (the first one) against France in 2022 England had made a smooth transition to the quarter-finals in Qatar and when Harry Kane smashed a penalty into the roof of the France net eight minutes after half-time for an equaliser against France, we kidded ourselves, yet again, that glory might be beckoning. France retook the lead but Kane had another chance to strike another equaliser with a second penalty six minutes from the end. This time, he lashed it high over the bar.18. Stan Mortensen scores first England goal at a World Cup in 1950It all began so well. England’s first game in a World Cup was against Chile at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro in June 1950. England had such a good team that Stanley Matthews only made the bench. The great Stan Mortensen got the opening goal seven minutes before half-time, with a towering header that set England on the way to a 2-0 victory. Some days later, England lost to the USA in Belo Horizonte in one of the great upsets in football history and the pattern for our misery at World Cups was set.17. Gerry Hitchens’ equaliser against Brazil in the 1962 World Cup England were still recovering from the loss of several of the Busby Babes, including Duncan Edwards, in the Munich Air Disaster, when they undertook the journey to Chile. They had a fine team, including a young Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves and Fulham’s Johnny Haynes. After Garrincha had opened the scoring for Brazil, Hitchens grabbed an equaliser and England dreamed of a famous comeback. Garrincha had other ideas. He scored a hat-trick and Brazil went on to win the tournament.16. England take 2-0 lead against West Germany in 1970 World Cup It was good while it lasted. Goals from Alan Mullery and a back-post finish by Martin Peters put England 2-0 up and in command deep into the second half against West Germany in Leon. England seemed to be coasting towards the semi-finals. Then Alf Ramsey substituted Bobby Charlton in the 69th minute and everything fell apart. Martin Peters puts England 2-0 up against West Germany in 1970. They go on to lose 3-215. Kieran Trippier’s free-kick against Croatia in 2018The closest England have come to making the World Cup final since 1990. With five minutes gone of the Moscow semi-final with Croatia, they won a free-kick on the edge of the area and Trippier lifted an absolute beauty over the defensive wall to put Gareth Southgate’s side ahead. Kieran Trippier bends in his free-kick to give England the lead against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semi-final14. Bobby Moore’s tackle on Jairzinho in the 1970 World CupEngland’s skipper gave a defensive masterclass in England’s group game against one of the best attacking sides in the history of the game. Moore’s performance was a model of how to read the game and anticipate danger before it occurred. His standout moment came when Jairzinho, still the only player to score in every group game and every knock-out game at a World Cup, jinked into the area and ran at Moore. Moore tackled him cleanly and beautifully and emerged with the ball. When he and Pele embraced at the end of the match, it was a symbol of the best in the game in attack and defence. Pele and Bobby Moore exchange shirts after the 1970 World Cup clash between Brazil and England13. David Platt’s volley against Belgium at the 1990 World CupEngland had been outplayed by the Belgians in the Round of 16 game in Bologna and the tie was on the verge of going to penalties when Paul Gascoigne floated a free-kick towards Platt in the last minute of extra time. Platt watched the ball drop over his shoulder and then swivelled and hit an unstoppable volley past the Belgium goalkeeper. David Platt wheels away after scoring his wonderful volley against Belgium at Italia ‘9012. Michael Owen’s goal against Brazil in the 2002 World CupOwen wasn’t fully fit but he was still a predatory striker of rare talent. Midway through the first half, Lucio cut out a pass from Emile Heskey but Owen read his intentions and stole the ball off him. Clean through on goalkeeper Marcos, he lifted it over him to put England ahead. It was another brief glimpse of glory. Brazil’s front line of Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were too good.11. David Beckham’s penalty against Argentina in 2002When England were drawn in the same group as Argentina at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, everyone knew what was coming: a reunion between Beckham and Diego Simeone. Beckham had been sent off after tangling with Simeone at the World Cup in France four years earlier, an incident that led to him being harangued and vilified by many in England. This was his shot at revenge. Because drama followed him, he got that shot. When Michael Owen won a penalty just before half-time of the group game in Sapporo, Beckham stepped up to take it. He took a few very deep breaths and then smashed it straight down the middle. England won the game 1-0. David Beckham scores his redemptive penalty against Argentina in 200210. Bobby Moore and the QueenI told you there were going to be a lot of moments from 1966. There are no apologies for that. While they remain the only England team to have won the tournament, every detail from that triumph has become the stuff of legend. Bobby Moore pausing at the end of his walk up steps to the Royal Box to wipe his muddy hands on the velvet rail is a beautiful one. Moore did it so that he would not sully the pristine white gloves of Queen Elizabeth II when she presented him with the trophy and it summed up the elegance and style of the England captain. It is another of the moments from that summer that has entered our football folklore. Bobby Moore, with clean hands, collects the World Cup from the Queen in 19669. Bryan Robson’s goal after 27 seconds at the 1982 World CupEngland had not played in a World Cup for 12 years when they ran out at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao for their first game of the tournament. The game had barely begun when Steve Coppell launched a long throw, Terry Butcher flicked it on and Robson ran on to it, unmarked, and hooked it past France goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori. There were only 27 seconds on the clock and, at the time, it was said to be the fastest goal in World Cup history.8. Eric Dier’s penalty against Colombia in Russia 2018One of England’s most emotionally charged victories in World Cups. Dier’s winning penalty at the end of the Round of 16 tie at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, hit low to the left of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, sealed England’s first triumph in a World Cup penalty shoot-out. It snapped a mental block that was haunting England at World Cups and brought a measure of release for England manager Gareth Southgate, who had missed a penalty in England’s Euro 96 shootout defeat to Germany.7. Lineker’s goal against West Germany in the 1990 semi-finalThis was the closest England have come to emulating the boys of 1966. England’s World Cup had been gathering momentum in Italy and they had made it to the last four in Turin. They were trailing 1-0 with nine minutes left when Paul Parker’s long ball caused confusion in the West Germany box, Lineker pounced on it, took a brilliant touch with his thigh to make space and rifled a shot into the corner of the net for the equaliser. It was another flash of brilliant light, another glimpse of hope. Gary Lineker scores England’s equaliser against Germany in the 1990 semi-final  6. Owen’s goal against Argentina in 1998 World Cup in Saint EtienneOwen was England’s Boy Wonder in 1998. He was 18 years old, he was lightning quick, he was a goalscoring prodigy and he had no fear. The beauty of this goal was that it seemed to herald a bright future for England, even beyond the 1998 tournament. Owen took a pass from Beckham just inside the Argentina half, held off Jose Chamot, jinked outside Roberto Ayala and smashed a rising drive beyond the goalkeeper into the roof of the net. It was one of those moments where it felt as if anything were possible in that World Cup. It felt as if we might win it. We didn’t. Michael Owen finishes off his amazing solo run by scoring past Carlos Roa in the Argentina goal in England’s 1998 World Cup defeat5. Bobby Charlton’s goal in the group game against Mexico in 1966England had gone into that World Cup with doubts besieging them and Ramsey and had laboured to a 0-0 draw with Uruguay in their opening game. Eight minutes before half-time in the Mexico game, England were still without a goal. But then Hunt played a short pass to Charlton just inside the England half and Charlton ran at the Mexico defence. Hunt made a superb run to drag defenders away and Charlton let fly from around 25 yards. It might be the most sweetly-struck shot you’ve ever seen. Charlton hit it with his right foot and it sped like a bullet. It rose and rose on a smooth trajectory, hurtled past the goalkeeper and bulged the back of the net. It was the moment that released all England’s nerves and freed them up to win in 1966. Bobby Charlton (No 9) runs away to celebrate after smashing home the first goal against Mexico in a 1966 group game. It set England on the path to glory4. Gordon Banks’ save from Pele in Guadalajara, 1970England played Brazil in their second group tie of the tournament. Many thought they had an even better team in 1970 than they had had in 1966. Only 10 minutes of the game had gone when Jairzinho, who scored in every game Brazil played at the tournament, burst past Terry Cooper on the England left. In one movement, Jairzinho floated a cross to the back post where Pele was waiting. Pele’s downward header was technically perfect. It bounced just in front of the line but somehow Gordon Banks, the England goalkeeper, scrambled across and clawed it out and over the bar. It is still one of those saves you can watch over and over again and not realise how he achieved it. Even Bobby Moore was so astonished that he threw his hands up in the air in a gesture of wonder. It is the greatest save in World Cup history. England goalkeeper Gordon Banks makes his remarkable save from Pele’s header in 1970 in Mexico3. Geoff Hurst’s second goal, England’s third, in the 1966 final.It might just be the most controversial goal in World Cup history – alongside Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ effort in 1986 – although every Englishman will tell you they know it crossed the line. It was the first period of extra time in the final and Hurst, only in the team because of an injury to Greaves, turned sweetly with his back to goal and then a hammered a shot off the underside of the crossbar that bounced down over the line. That was the judgment of the Azeri linesman, anyway. It was also the judgment of Roger Hunt, Liverpool’s great goalscorer, who turned away when he saw the ball land behind the line. Everyone always said that if the ball had not crossed the line, Hunt would have pounced on it for the rebound. Instead, he celebrated. Geoff Hurst’s shot bounces down behind the line to put England into a 3-2 lead in extra time of the 1966 World Cup final. Roger Hunt, Liverpool’s great goalscorer, can be seen raising his arms in celebration after seeing the ball land behind the line2. Gazza’s tears, 1990 World CupAfter 1966, in the end, there are only tears. So it makes sense that the greatest moment in England’s World Cup history beyond that golden day 60 years ago came when our best player since that era started crying. Paul Gascoigne lit up the 1990 World Cup. His genius only flickered briefly but his invention and his energy and his audacity at that tournament drove England to the semi-finals and the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out defeat to West Germany. Gascoigne was at the heart of everything good that England did at Italia ’90 but when he was booked for a foul on Thomas Berthold in the semi-final against the Germans in Turin, he realised that he would be suspended for the final if England got there and could not hold his emotions in check.  England’s Paul Gascoigne weeping after the 1990 semi-final loss to West Germany became a symbol of heroic defeatIt remains England’s best performance at a tournament since 1966 and that side, with Sir Bobby Robson as manager, captured the public imagination more than the Gareth Southgate team that made it to the last four in Russia in 2018. Gascoigne weeping became a symbol of heroic defeat. Those tears came at the end of a period of upheaval and tragedy in English football. Only a year on from the Hillsborough Disaster, Gazza’s tears sluiced away the self-loathing that wracked the English game and helped to create the fervour and the enthusiasm that led to the great football boom of the 1990s. The provisions of the Taylor Report, the move towards all-seater stadiums, the retreat of hooliganism and the reimagining of the English club game through the incarnation of the Premier League had plenty to do with that boom, too, but Gazza’s tears were its emotional core.1. England’s fourth goal in the 1966 World Cup finalEngland are 3-2 up in the closing seconds of extra time. The prize is so, so close. They have already had it snatched away once when West Germany equalised in the 89th minute of normal time. ‘You’ve won it once,’ their manager, Alf Ramsey, told them before extra time, ‘now go out there and win it again.’  Geoff Hurst lets fly to seal England’s 1966 World Cup victory at Wembley over West GermanyGeoff Hurst has put them 3-2 up with his second goal of the game and now they are defending for their lives. They clear the ball and Hurst escapes down the left. Hurst bears down on goal. A West Germany defender retreats, not knowing whether to close down Hurst or cover the run of another England forward. ‘Some people are on the pitch,’ BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme says breathlessly, as Hurst prepares to draw back his left foot to shoot for his hat-trick. ‘They think it’s all over,’ he continues. Hurst’s shot flies into the roof of the net and Wolstenholme does not miss a beat. ‘It is now.’