This Day in History: 2023-03-31

Nr. 437

AND THEN IT WAS ALL OVER (1966)

BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenhome could not have imagined that an off-the-cuff comment would become part of soccer folklore. England striker Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick finale to the 1966 World Cup final inspired one of the most famous pieces of commentary. As the West Ham player raced clear of the chasing West German defence some fans thought the final whistle had gone and dashed onto the pitch to celebrate a 3-2 England win. Wolstenhome reported, «Some people are on the pitch. They think it’s all over.» Then, after pausing as Hurst blasted the ball home again for a 4-2 win, Wolstenhome confirmed it with the words, «It is now.»

There were no complaints about Geoff Hurst’s emphatic finish to seal his hat-trick. The fourth England goal ended the German challenge.