Reports began to emerge that Greaves had been declared fit to play, and with the title of world champions at stake, the press started to push for his inclusion in the match.
But manager Alf Ramsey was not so easily swayed, and selected Sir Geoff for his squad heading into England’s first ever World Cup Final.
The day came, and the nation braced itself for the clash against the former champions West Germany.
Nobody could have predicted what Sir Geoff would go on to do, except his father-in-law.
“Strangely enough, my father-in-law, prior to the game, told my wife that he thought I’d score a hat-trick,” Sir Geoff told the Radio 2 Breakfast Show in 2016.
“My wife never forgot him saying that.”
A goal from Helmut Haller put Germany 1-0 ahead early on, but shortly after Moore was fouled in the opposition half.
He delivered a free kick into the box, and Sir Geoff headed home to equalise.
“At that moment, I felt I’d justified my place on the team,” said Sir Geoff while speaking to London in 2026.
The game went on without another goal until the 79th minute, when Martin Peters managed to put England ahead – but a last-second goal from West Germany’s Wolfgang Weber sent the game to extra time at 2-2.
