June 14 – Germany Have Their Revenge

SUMMER of 1970 was a good time to be an England fan. Reigning world champions, Sir Alf Ramsey’s team were favourites to defend their crown as they headed out to Mexico. Many said they were an even better team than the one which triumphed at Wembley in 1966 and hopes were high that England would bring the cup home once again.

After a classic match with Brazil in the group stage, two wins in their other two matches ensured the Three Lions would be facing West Germany on this day in the quarter-final – the same team they had beaten four years earlier in the final.

Before the match Sir Alf’s team was dealt a major blow when Gordon Banks, first choice keeper and hero of the Brazil game for his incredible save from Pele, was ruled out with food poisoning.

Ramsey was heard to remark: “I still can’t believe it. Of all the players to lose, it had to be him.” He was right to be concerned – it would prove a decisive factor in the game.

In the match itself England were playing beautifully and seemed to have the game within their grasp after Alan Mullery and Martin Peters both scored to give them a 2-0 lead with just 25 minutes remaining.

But then disaster: Peter Bonetti, deputising for Banks in goal, let a speculative shot from Franz Beckenbauer to creep into the net, and suddenly the West Germans had a foothold back in the game.

They were hungry for revenge for the 1966 final and now their tails were up.

Ramsey reacted by bringing off Martin Peters and Bobby Charlton, thinking the game won, and wanting to save their legs for the semi-final. It proved a crucial mistake that handed the initiative back to Germany. Free from having to shadow Charlton, Beckenbauer was able to exert more influence on the game and with just eight minutes to go, his side forced an equaliser from Uwe Seeler.

Just like in ’66 England and West Germany would go into extra time, but this time it was the Germans who took control, and in the second period Gerd Muller volleyed home the winner from close range.

West Germany had pulled off a stunning comeback against the World Champions and England were out, their reign as holders of the Jules Rimet cup was over.

Bobby Charlton never played for England again, his final cap was his 106th – a record at the time, not that that provided any consolation.

Germany were knocked out in the semi-final by Italy, who themselves were beaten 4-1 in the final by Brazil.

Also on this day, Exeter City received a visit from their most famous fans. Read that here, and come back tomorrow for more from us to help fill the football shaped void that stretches before us all for the summer.