Geoff Hurst's 'goal' against West Germany at the 1966 World Cup has been the subject of pub conversation throughout the ages. "Did it, or did it not, cross the line?" It's one of the most famous - and enduring - questions in the sport's history and the answer changes depending on who you ask. In 2010, the grainy, black and white footage of the incident was uploaded in colour, giving a clearer view of what actually happened, and you can deduce that England should consider themselves fortunate. England first fell behind to Helmut Haller's 12th minute goal before Hurt headed level six minutes later. England then took the lead through Martin Peters, whose close ranged effort gave the Three Lions a scent of glory. Agonisingly, however, Wolfgang Weber struck a minute before full-time to tie the game 2-2 and the match went into extra time, where controversy would await. With penalties looming, Hurst swivelled and shot from close range. The ball struck the underside of the crossbar - as Lampard's would four decades later - bounced down on the line and was cleared. The referee Gottfried Dienst was uncertain if it had crossed and consulted his linesman, Tofik Bakhramov from the USSR, who in a moment of drama indicated that it was. England went on to win the World Cup for the first time in a history as a result, Hurst scoring again to prompt the phrase 'they think it's all over. It is now!" and history was made. Yet it will be a win forever shrouded on ignominy.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
