Ranking England’s 10 best goals at the World Cup | OneFootball

Coby Watson, World Cup tactics correspondent

England kickstart their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday hoping to end 60 years of hurt with a first triumph in the competition since 1966, and they’ve scored a few goals while trying.

From ridiculous volleys to pin-point free kicks, Three Lions fans have often been treated to quite the spectacle with their team in front of goal, albeit none of them have delivered any trophies for quite some time.

England have scored 104 goals in 74 matches across 16 World Cup tournaments, leaving plenty of choice for what you might consider as the best goal the country has ever scored on the world stage.

But it all depends on what metric you choose to rank them. Here, FromTheSpot takes a look at which strikes have stood the test of time as England’s greatest ever, analysing both the goals and what they meant.

10. Geoff Hurst vs Romania (Mexico, 1970)

Hurst is undoubtedly one of England’s all-time great goalscorers, and this goal is by no means his most famous goal.

England were reigning champions at the 1970 World Cup and looked to defend their title as they kicked off their tournament against a battling Romanian side.

After 65 minutes Hurst broke the deadlock when Alan Ball floated a cross into the Romanian box. Francis Lee flicked the ball into the path of Hurst who chopped the ball across Romanian defender Mihai Mocanu.

This brilliant piece of skill completely took the defender out of the game, before he fired it past goalkeeper Stere Adamache.

A fantastic goal to kick off the list which saw England win their opening game as world champions 1-0.

9. Paul Scholes vs Tunisia (France, 1998)

Just like Hurst’s goal, Scholes’ also came in England’s opening fixture. England hoped to put their woes of not qualifying for the previous tournament behind them. They found themselves 1-0 up after an Alan Shearer header.

With just a minute remaining in normal time, Paul Ince picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch flicking it over one challenge and then another. This allowed him the space to lay the ball into Scholes.

Scholes pushed the ball out of his feet, before curling his effort towards the far post and into the side netting. A fantastic piece of build up play and a fantastic finish, however the occasion and quality of opposition detracting from its overall position.

8. Kieran Trippier vs Croatia (Russia, 2018)

Where Scholes’ goal lacked occasion, there has been no greater occasion in recent memory than Kieran Trippier’s free kick against Croatia. England were playing in their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years and Trippier put the Three Lions ahead after just five minutes.

The free kick was from a good range and Trippier took full advantage lifting it up and over the Croatian wall. The goal did not find the postage stamp in the top corner but was a brilliant goal and perhaps the biggest in England’s recent world cup history.

7. David Beckham vs Colombia (France, 1998)

Another free kick entry in the list, and the second goal to feature from the 1998 World Cup. England came into their final group stage game level on points with Colombia with Romania topping the group.

England needed a result to ensure they progressed, and Darren Anderton put them well on their way to doing so after 20 minutes.

Just before the half hour mark England had a free kick from 30 yards out and up stepped David Beckham. He curled his free kick into the side netting well out of reach of Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón.

This was Beckham’s first goal of seventeen for his nation, and he struck in a crucial moment to double the lead. England progressed to the knockout stages finishing second in their group.

This goal just pips Trippier’s free kick as although Beckham’s goal was not in the semi-final it was still high stakes for England, and he buried his free kick right into the side netting from further out.

Trippier’s free kick was not as far out of reach and was from a much more advantageous range, therefore Beckham’s stunner just has to rank one place above the Wolves right-back.

6. Bobby Charlton vs Mexico (England, 1966)

England faced Mexico in the second group stage game on their way to winning the 1966 World Cup. Alf Ramsey’s men won 2-0 to go top of the group.

Bobby Charlton put England ahead in the game after 38 minutes. He picked the ball up inside his own half before driving directly at the Mexican defence. Charlton feinted to go left then shifted onto his right, before slamming the ball across the goal and into the side netting.

His strike was from at least 25 yards out and his jinking run prior was brilliant. The goal was simply vintage Bobby Charlton on the biggest stage at a home tournament.

5. Joe Cole vs Sweden (Germany, 2006)

From one long range effort to another; Joe Cole’s strike against Sweden is one he is often remembered best for. England were taking on Sweden in their final game of the group stage, with the game ending 2-2 seeing England top their group.

Cole scored the opener after 34 minutes. Sweden cleared the ball to the edge of the box. Cole chested the ball before hitting it on the volley. His strike from the left-hand side dipped over Sweden’s Andreas Isaksson and into the top right corner. A simply stunning strike from Cole to give England the lead.

The way in which Cole slices across the ball makes the goal spectacular on the eye. The ball almost spinning sideways as it hit the net. Cole’s goal was one which as soon as he struck it you believed it would find its way in.

4. Gary Lineker vs West Germany (Italy, 1990)

England had reached their first semi-final in a world cup since they won it in 1966. They found themselves up against the side they beat in ’66 and were 1-0 down in the tie. England were growing desperate for an equaliser as the game entered the final ten minutes.

Paul Parker floated a desperate cross into the box on 81 minutes. A defensive error from centre-back Jurgen Kohler allowed Lineker to pounce. He flicked the ball with his right knee over the German defence and then struck it with his left.

A fantastic finish on his weaker side from England’s leading goal scorer at the World Cup.

Lineker equalised for England with ten minutes to go. Although the Three Lions went on to lose on penalties Lineker scored a superb and important goal, whilst showing incredible composure in a vital moment.

3. Geoff Hurst vs West Germany (England, 1966)

This is Hurst’s second entry on this list, and a goal he will be remembered throughout history for. This goal is perhaps England’s most famous and is certainly the most renowned on this list.

England were leading 3-2 in the World Cup final during extra time with mere moments remaining in the game. England fans were on tenterhooks inside Wembley and across the nation waiting for the final whistle.

Commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme’s famous commentary encapsulates the moment like no other combination of words can.

“Some people are on the pitch, they think its all over… it is now,” he said.

It’s a piece of commentary that can only be read in the great broadcaster’s voice. Hurst had sealed England’s first ever World Cup victory, whilst scoring the first ever hat trick in a World Cup final.

Hurst has since only been joined by Kylian Mbappe in 2022 as the only other player to score a hattrick in a World Cup final.

In terms of the goal itself, Hurst broke away and ran down the left at the German goal. As he reached the inside of the area, he unleashed a powerful effort which blew past Hans Tilkowski in the German goal. A goal etched into England’s World Cup history forever.

2. Michael Owen vs Argentina (France, 1998)

The third goal to feature from this tournament and England only scored seven in the entire campaign. The goal came in a 2-2 draw with Argentina in the Round of 16 stage with England eventually losing on penalties.

Owen put England 2-1 up after 16 minutes. David Beckham clipped the ball into the path of Owen who flicked it into his stride with the outside of his right boot. He then muscled off Argentine defender Jose Chamot before driving at Roberto Ayala.

The defender stood too square on and allowed Owen to drop the shoulder onto his stronger right side. Owen lifted the ball over Carlos Roa to cap off a fantastic solo goal.

Perhaps the most impressive part of this goal was Owen’s age. He was 18 years old and became England’s youngest ever world cup player and goalscorer at that time.

He scored in a game with a huge rivalry and one which had seen fantastic goals before such as Maradona’s ‘goal of the century’.

By accounting for Owen’s age, the occasion, and the sheer brilliance of the goal, it makes it easily one of England’s best World Cup goals.

1. David Platt vs Belgium (Italy, 1990)

Finally, the goal perceived as England’s greatest ever World Cup goal has to be David Platt’s stupendous volley in the dying moments against Belgium. The goal simply had everything.

England faced Belgium in the Round of 16 and after 90 minutes the game was locked at 0-0. The game headed into extra-time and penalties loomed. With just a minute remaining England’s Paul Gascoigne won a free kick 40 yards from goal.

He looked to shoot but Bobby Robson urged him to cross it; Gascoigne floated a cross into the far post where Platt waited to strike.

Platt spun to create the opportunity to shoot and as the ball came down, he struck it perfectly on the volley across goal and into the back of the net.

The technique involved was expert as Platt just guided the ball into the goal. Michael Preud’homme was in goal for Belgium and was one of the top goalkeepers in world football, but Platt’s strike was simply unsavable.

The Aston Villa midfielder had won England the knockout tie in the final moments of extra time.

Platt was the youngest member of the England squad at 24 years old, and had been a substitute in every game. His goal in this game and other notable performances elevated his status on the world stage.

His strike alone was good but when adding the context in which it was scored in it becomes even more impressive.

Platt’s goal was unique and one where you remember exactly where you were when it went in, and for that reason ranks as England’s greatest ever World Cup goal.

Do you disagree with our ranking? Did we miss your favourite goal? Let us know in the comments.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.