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It was one of the most controversial matches in history – unless you are English.
In 1966, a glorious day at Wembley Stadium saw Bobby Moore lift the Jules Rimet trophy after a dramatic 4-2 victory over West Germany. The Three Lions needed extra-time to lift their first and, so far, only World Cup, but a hat-trick from Geoff Hurst and a goal from Martin Peters was enough to secure a victory that is still sang about today.
However, the most controversial moment of the game came in extra-time when Hurst’s effort, which struck the underside of the crossbar, was adjudged to have crossed the line to make it 3-2. But what would have happened if VAR and goal-line technology had been available on that fateful afternoon at Wembley? Daily Star Sport put the question to AI, who predicted the outcome.
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In a completely new version of events, AI suggests West Germany were experiencing Deja Vu after just 12 minutes as Hurst leathered a thunderous effort off the underside of the crossbar. However, we are now in the modern day so goal-line technology was there to confirm the ball had crossed the line, giving England the lead.
But the Germans were not to be beaten as a goalmouth scramble resulted in England’s Ray Wilson bringing down a white shirt in the penalty area. A VAR review awarded a 39th minute penalty to the Germans, which was emphatically dispatched by Helmut Haller.
What do you think the score would have been if they had to replay the 1966 World Cup Final? Let us know in the comments section below
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The first half intensity was carried over into the second with both sides creating numerous chances. On 68 minutes, it was England’s turn to benefit from VAR, as the ever-gazing eye of football spotted a handball from a German player in the area. Hurst stepped up and hammered his second goal.
Unfortunately for Sir Alf Ramsey’s side, they were pegged back in the dying stages yet again. Wolfgang Weber bundled the ball home in the 82nd minute to take the game to extra-time. A dreaded penalty shootout loomed, but there was still time for more drama.
The most contentious moment of the afternoon saw a shot ricochet off a German player’s hand in the penalty area. As everyone in a white shirt looked sheepish, VAR intervened and gave England their second penalty of the game.
Only one man was going to take it. Hurst stepped up and scored to confirm his hat-trick and put one English hand on the World Cup. As fans at Wembley began celebrating, nightmare struck as Germany scored a late equaliser. However, VAR reared its head again and spotted an offside in the build-up.
Just as they did 57 years ago, England lifted the World Cup and left the Germans thinking “what if?”
- England Football Team
- World Cup
- Premier League
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