<P> Ramsey 's prediction came true , and the 1966 World Cup on home soil was England 's finest moment . An unremarkable group phase saw England win two and draw one of their games , with a 30 - yard strike by Bobby Charlton at Wembley in London against Mexico proving a highlight . All of England 's games were played at Wembley , which was ( and still is ) the England national team 's home stadium . An injury to centre forward Jimmy Greaves in the final group match against France prompted Ramsey into a re-think for the quarter final against Argentina , and inexperienced replacement Geoff Hurst responded by scoring the only goal of the game . Charlton then hit both goals in a 2 - 1 semi-final win over Portugal ( a game that was originally supposed to be played at Liverpool 's Goodison Park ) and England had reached the final , where they would meet West Germany . By now , Greaves was fit again , but Ramsey kept faith with Hurst , despite calls from the media for the main goalscorer to return . </P>
<P> Ramsey 's prediction came true , and the 1966 World Cup on home soil was England 's finest moment . An unremarkable group phase saw England win two and draw one of their games , with a 30 - yard strike by Bobby Charlton at Wembley in London against Mexico proving a highlight . All of England 's games were played at Wembley , which was ( and still is ) the England national team 's home stadium . An injury to centre forward Jimmy Greaves in the final group match against France prompted Ramsey into a re-think for the quarter final against Argentina , and inexperienced replacement Geoff Hurst responded by scoring the only goal of the game . Charlton then hit both goals in a 2 - 1 semi-final win over Portugal ( a game that was originally supposed to be played at Liverpool 's Goodison Park ) and England had reached the final , where they would meet West Germany . By now , Greaves was fit again , but Ramsey kept faith with Hurst , despite calls from the media for the main goalscorer to return . </P>
when did england last go to the world cup final
when did england last go to the world cup final
1966
1966