Alf Ramsey’s England scored their first goal and won their first match of the 1966 World Cup on 16 July. And what a goal it was!
As against Uruguay in their opening Group One fixture, England again had to try and unlock an eight or nine-man defence.
This time it was provided by the plum-shirted Mexicans and there wasn’t much to worry Calderon in Mexico’s goal until a piece of magic from Bobby Charlton in the 38th minute.
England leave the field after the 2-0 victory against Mexico
Martin Peters intercepted a Mexico pass and moved the ball on to Roger Hunt.
A quick switch inside gave Charlton possession just inside his own half and he ran free down the centre at pace.
He jinked left and then right before firing a 25-yard screamer that flew into the top corner.
England’s World Cup challenge was up and running.
With a quarter of an hour to go the stadium erupted again.
The game was played in front of over 92,000 people at Wembley
Peters put Jimmy Greaves away with a perfect pass, Calderon could only palm his shot away and Hunt was in the right place to turn the ball in for 2-0.
The capacity crowd were quick to show their delight.
Terry Paine, who was England's outside-right against Mexico, said of the strike: “Bobby Charlton’s goal was the best England goal I ever saw”.
Four days later England beat France by the same score to set up a quarter-final with Argentina.
