England rejoiced as Geoff Hurst became the first - and so far only - man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final to see off West Germany and ensure glory for Sir Alf Ramsey's wingless wonders.

Derided before the competition, Ramsey's side came good at exactly the right time, as Brazil's hopes of landing a third straight title were thwarted.

England eased through the group stages without a conceding a goal, despite failing to convince, but it was North Korea who made all the headlines with a stunning 1-0 win over Italy at Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park that sent the Azzurri home early.

Joining them were holders Brazil, who were beaten by both Hungary and Portugal as they could only finish third in Group Three.

In the quarter-finals West Germany and Russia edged though, while England beat Argentina 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a Hurst header, with the South Americans' roughhouse tactics rewarded with the sending-off of skipper Antonio Rattin.

Amazingly North Korea threatened another upset as they powered into a three-goal lead against Portugal, but the great Eusebio inspired a comeback as his side won out 5-3 at Goodison Park.

In the semis West Germany saw off Russia 2-1, while England won by the same score against Portugal, with Bobby Charlton powering home both goals.

The Wembley final started badly for England as Helmut Haller fired in a 13th minute opener, but Hurst swooped for his first of the game six minutes later, heading home Bobby Moore's free-kick.

When the German defence failed to clear a corner and Martin Peters rifled in England's second 12 minutes from time, the nation waited to celebrate, only for Wolfgang Weber to make it 2-2 right at the death.

Ramsey's pep talk for extra-time famously described the Germans as finished and soon they were as Alan Ball centred for Hurst to record his second, with a large slice of help famously coming from the Russian linesman.

Any doubts over that goal were extinguished as time ran out as Hurst ran clear and smacked a left-footer past Hans Tilkowski to make the final score 4-2 and allow England to celebrate a famous victory on home soil.