v Portugal, semi-final, Wembley 1966
England had come through a dour and ill-tempered quarter-final against Argentina but proved they really were one of the best teams in the world with a magnificent win over a Eusebio-inspired Portugal. Bobby Charlton was outstanding, scoring two goals in perhaps his finest-ever performance for his country. Eusebio pulled one back from the penalty spot - his eighth of nine goals in the tournament - but it was not enough and he left the field in tears.
v West Germany, final, Wembley 1966
England's finest hour and an accomplishment which has overshadowed the national team ever since. Geoff Hurst struck a magnificent hat-trick as England claimed the world crown with a 4-2 victory. Helmut Haller put the Germans ahead but Hurst responded and Martin Peters added a second after 78 minutes. Wolfgang Weber forced extra time in the last minute but England claimed the advantage with a controversial Hurst strike which bounced down off the bar and was adjudged to have crossed the line by linesman Tofik Bakhramov. Hurst completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds.
v France, first round, Bilbao 1982
England, in their first World Cup since 1970, got their campaign off to a flying start with an impressive 3-1 win over a very strong French side, Michel Platini et al. Bryan Robson scored a stunning opener after 27 seconds and added a second after Gerard Soler equalised. Peter Mariner made sure of the win with England's third.
v Turkey, qualifying, Istanbul 1984
Turkey may have been a pale shadow of the international force they have now become back in the 1980s, but an 8-0 victory is no small achievement. Bryan Robson scored a hat-trick, Tony Woodcock and John Barnes both netted twice and Viv Anderson also got on the scoresheet in the rout. England also won the return match 5-0 but beating Turkey has been nothing like as easy since.
v Paraguay, second round, Mexico City 1986
The prolific Gary Lineker struck twice as England comfortably moved through to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over the South Americans. Lineker opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark and netted the third after Peter Beardsley had doubled the lead. | 
