England Team

Wales Team

This really was one of the best England-Wales clashes for many years and England had to use all of their experience and know-how to defeat the challenge of the Welsh 'dragon'.

In the first half Wales pushed forward relentlessly with Jones and Moore outstanding in midfield. Their clever touches and astute passes had England chasing shadows at times. Up-front the two Davieses and Toshack gave the home defenders a torrid time and after several near-misses, Wales deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute. The goal came after a splendid build-up involving Powell, Ron Davies, Jones and then a cross from the right by Rodrigues which Ron Davies, following-up, leapt high to head home brilliantly under pressure from Jack Charlton and Norman Hunter.

After the goal Wales continued to dictate with Moore their most-influential player. Moments later, though, they had an amazing 'let-off'. A header by Jeff Astle was handled on the line by Rodrigues, and although Astle followed-up to 'score' from the rebound, the referee had already ordered a penalty to be taken. Up stepped Francis Lee, usually a 'sure-shot' from the spot, but his kick this time crashed against the bar before being cleared. There seemed no justice in the incident from England's point of view.

Two fine saves from Sprake, first from a header by Lee and then from a 'rocket' by Bobby Charlton, kept the lead intact and deservedly so. Wales had played very well and despite England's near-misses, they had more than 'held their own'. Their pressure had forced Gordon West and his defenders into many anxious moments.

The second half saw a complete change-round, however. England were somehow revitalised after the break with Bobby Charlton inspiring from the front. In the space of five minutes he fired in a tremendous shot from Colin Bell's pass which crashed against the crossbar. That was from 20 yards and shortly afterwards a lovely combination with Lee gave the Manchester United player another right-footer which this time found the top corner of Sprake's net in similar 'whizz-bang' fashion.

The delighted England fans hardly had time to savour that gem when they were applauding another fine move. Bobby Charlton, Alan Ball, Lee, Bell and Ball again, set-up Charlton to fire in yet-another right-foot 'thunderbolt'. But this time Sprake made a wonderful save as he turned the ball onto a post and away. Moments later the goalkeeper was in action again, saving once more from Charlton, who seemed 'hell-bent' on creating a scoring record in one match.

It was all thrilling action but it was far from over. With 18 minutes left, another central thrust came with Bobby Charlton at the 'helm'. The move also involved Ball and Bell and the latter put in a cross which was headed at the Welsh goal by Astle. Although Sprake blocked the effort, the ball ran free and Lee 'roared' in to crash home the rebound to atone for his penalty-miss.

The goal turned out to be the winner in a game that was a delight to watch for all at the stadium and the millions viewing on television. The important difference between the sides was Bobby Charlton. He was, quite simply, magnificent and his goal would be long remembered as the 'pearl' on a night of high entertainment.
  

Wyn Davies gave Wales the lead and they were looking the better team when England were awarded a penalty that Francis Lee fired against the woodwork. The miss seemed to inspire rather than depress the Manchester City striker, and he laid on the equaliser for Bobby Charlton following a smart exchange of wall-passes, and he then notched the winner after a drive from lively debutant Jeff Astle had been cleared off the line.
  

Wales had still to pick up a point in the British Championship at Wembley and had been well-beaten on their last visit. Having lost 5-3 to Scotland at the Racecourse Ground four days earlier they needed to beat the reigning British and world champions to retain their interest in the championship. They had also got off to a bad start in their World Cup qualifying group, losing to European champions Italy at Ninian Park and also to East Germany in Dresden. England had defeated Northern Ireland 3-1 at Windsor Park in their defence of the British Championship.
Wales took a surprise lead, Ron Davies heading in Rodrigues' centre. Three minutes later, the same player blocked Astle's header on the line with his hand and although Astle then knocked the ball over the line, the referee had already blown for a penalty..
This was wasted, though, as Lee hit the bar. England, at last, drew level. Bobby Charlton received a return pass from Lee and typically gave Sprake no chance with a powerful shot. Then Astle hit the post but Francis Lee secured the points from the rebound.
England now needed only a point against Scotland three days later to retain the Championship. Wales's goalless draw with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park was not enough to lift them off the bottom. They did not, as expected, qualify for the following year's World Cup, failing to win a point.
     

Source Notes

TheFA.com
Original newspaper reports
Rothman's Yearbooks
Mike Payne's England: The Complete Post-War Record (Breedon Books Publishing Company, Derby, U.K., 1993)
Norman Giller, Football Author
____________________

CG