England's finest hour came in 1966 with that 4-2 extra-time final victory over West Germany at Wembley and, in Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore, Sir Alf Ramsey's winning side contained two World Cup greats.

The 1966 tournament also provided one of the greatest games the World Cup has ever seen during the group phase - Hungary's 3-1 win against Brazil at Goodison Park.

It was a tournament in which the Europeans achieved supremacy over the South Americans.

Brazil had won the previous two finals with great style, technique and artistry but their challenge wilted here - an injury to Pele hardly helping - and it was England, relying more on hard work than creativity, who triumphed.

Five players were sent off during the tournament - two Argentines, two Uruguayans and a Russian - and Brazil's challenge suffered a setback when Pele was singled out for roughing-up treatment in their opening-game victory over Bulgaria and suffered an injury to his right knee.

Portugal, inspired by Eusebio, beat Hungary but the Hungarians beat a Brazil side weakened by the absence of the injured Pele.

Facing elimination, Brazil risked Pele against Portugal but he was kicked out of the game, which the Portuguese won 3-1 at Goodison Park, to ensure it was they and Hungary who progressed to the quarter finals.

England showed only flashes of their potential in their group games. They were held to a goalless draw by Uruguay in their opening match but successive 2-0 victories over Mexico and France saw them through to the last eight as group winners.

North Korea were the surprise package of the tournament, famously beating Italy 1-0 at Ayresome Park to qualify behind USSR for the quarter finals, where they went down 5-3 to Portugal.

In the remaining quarter-finals, USSR beat Hungary 2-1, West Germany thrashed Uruguay 4-0 and a Hurst goal enabled England to beat Argentina.

Two close-fought semi-finals saw West Germany beat USSR 2-1 at Goodison Park and England edge past Portugal by the same scoreline courtesy of two Bobby Charlton goals.

A passionate and controversial World Cup ended with a controversial final. Hurst scored the first hat-trick in a World Cup final but the second of those goals is disputed to this day.

First half honours were even. Haller fired Germany ahead but Hurst headed an equaliser from Moore's freekick.

Peters sparked Wembley celebrations when he restored England's lead with 12 minutes remaining but the Germans took the game into extra time when Weber drove home a last-minute equaliser.

On the 100-minute mark came one of the most talked about goals in World Cup history. Hurst met Ball's cross on the volley and the ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced down. Roger Hunt was so convinced the ball was over the line that he did not bother applying a finishing touch to make sure but Swiss referee Dienst consulted Russian linesman Bakhramov before allowing the goal to stand.

The Germans, chasing an equaliser, left themselves open to the counterattack and, in the dying seconds, Hurst broke clear and completed his hat-trick and a 4-2 triumph for England.