Was the ball over the line?
The second of Geoff Hurst’s three goals in the 1966 World Cup final may have never been given if there was goal-line technology or VAR back then. It’s never been forgotten by the Three Lions and Englishmen everywhere ever since.
In England, the ‘Russian’ linesman Tofiq Bahramov was the unlikely hero that made it all possible for Bobby Moore to lift the gleaming Jules Rimet trophy after a 4-2 win after extra time against West Germany at Wembley. In Germany, he’s known as the perpetrator of ‘Wembley-Tor’. But in Azerbaijan, where he hailed from, he is still regarded as a national sporting icon. In fact, the old national stadium in Baku is named after him.
Bahramov was a rare breed of footballer-turned referee after an injury ended his career. He had been officiating in the USSR for over a decade when he was called up to be on FIFA’s referee panel in 1964 and took charge of Spain v Switzerland in Sheffield during the 1966 World Cup. He was then selected as a linesman for the World Cup final, a great honour.
During extra time with the teams tied at 2-2, Geoff Hurst turned and shot the ball from Alan Ball’s cross towards the German goal. The ball cannoned off the crossbar and down towards the line. The keeper, Tilkowski scrambled to clear the ball as England’s players appealed for the goal to be awarded. Swiss referee, Gottfried Dienst looked to Bahramov for assistance and was given a nod of approval, the goal was given. England went on to win 4-2, ‘they think it’s all over’ and all of that.
There was plenty of debate at the time, and for decades later, especially from the German side of the argument. Bahramov maintained that he was correct, saying in his memoirs that the movement of the net was evidence that the ball was over the line. He went on to officiate at the European Championships, the 1970 World Cup, and big title-deciders in the USSR and in European competition. He was even invited to be the referee in Lev Yashin’s farewell match in 1971, a great honour.
And this was how Azerbaijan has such a big impact on the global stage, helping England to win the World Cup for the only time (so far).
Just imagine a world where the goal wasn’t given, West Germany went on to win the trophy, and Kylian Mbappe was the first man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. What would Hurst be doing now instead of being wheeled out every 4 years to talk to the BBC and ITV cameras during the World Cup?
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