England robbed?

For of the equalizer, yes, but we all know that over the 90 minutes Germany were far superior.

Anyway, those interested in when the boot was on the other foot can see the story of the 1966 Final here. It's important to remember that more than 40 years after 1966  nobody is certain whether the ball crossed the line. Two minutes after the goal on Sunday the world knew there had been a huge mistake.

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Pele Predictions

Pele is arguably the greatest player of all time - he is certainly the worst forecaster as you can see here

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England V USA

In 1950 in England play in a World Cup tournament for the first time. Despite their inexperience in international football they arrive in Brazil with high expectations. 

The first match goes well - a comfortable 2-0 win against Chile. Then the face the USA - a team for which they had provided players in the 1930s.

They approach with great confidence. With great players like Tom Finney, Alf Ramsey and Stan Mortensenn they were one of the favourites to win the competition. Beating the amateurs of the USA would be a formality, surely?

But the 1950 tournament in which nothing goes according to the expected script


Read about what happened here.

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How many European teams played in the first World Cup?

Only four European teams competed in the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930: France, Romania, Belgium & Yugoslavia And they travelled there together on the same ship.


King Carol of Romania personally paid for his players, who travelled in the third class section (luckily there were no iceburgs or they may not have got the lifeboats!)

Only the French team travelled first class, only joining players from the other nations to train on the ship's deck.

There is no mention of how the WAGS (wives & girlfriends) travelling - I can't see the modern ones accepting third class tickets, somehow.

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