This Day in History: 2023-06-09

Nr. 473

ENGLAND’S HIGH HOPES (1970)

The end of the first half of England’s World Cup quarter-final against West Germany gave the world champions and their fans hope that they might retain their big-occasion power over the Germans. On the hot afternoon of 14 June in the Mexican city of Leon, the packed stadium was treated to a lively exchange, with the England team, much changed from the tournament-winning side of 1966, holding a slight advantage. It came in the 31st minute when midfielder Alan Mullery of Tottenham Hotspur scored. Four minutes after half-time Martin Peters made it 2-0 to send English hopes soaring skywards.

England’s Bobby Charlton launches an attack on West Germany’s goal as England take control early on in the quarter-final match.