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Lagging behind
Steven LynchFebruary 18, 2015
Were England ever behind in a match during the 1966 World Cup? asked Nick Leighton
The only time England were behind in any match during the 1966 World Cup was for about six minutes in the final itself: Helmut Haller put West Germany one up in the 12th minute, but Geoff Hurst equalised in the 18th
England conceded only one goal in reaching that final, and that came when they were 2-0 up on Portugal in the semi: Eusebio's 82nd-minute penalty meant a nervous last few minutes, but England held on to win 2-1.
In the group stages England had drawn 0-0 with Uruguay, then beaten Mexico and France 2-0. In the quarter-finals they overcame Argentina 1-0 in a famously bad-tempered match.
Italy were never behind when they won the World Cup in 1938 (four matches), or in 1982 (seven). West Germany were never adrift in 1990, or as Germany in 2014. In 1998 France were behind for just one minute - to Croatia in their semi-final.
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