World Cup winner George Cohen made his England bow on this day.

George Cohen, England’s right-back when they won the World Cup, made his international bow in a Wembley friendly on this day in 1964.

Uruguay, the opposition on that May afternoon, had beaten England in their two previous meetings but Johnny ‘Budgie’ Byrne’s brace won this match for the home side 2-1.

The South Americans had been involved in a particularly rough match with Northern Ireland a week earlier and were clearly on their ‘best behaviour’ at Wembley.

Jimmy Greaves’ goal-bound shot was headed away by Pavoni and Byrne saw his effort tipped onto the bar by Taibo before England took a deserved lead two minutes from half-time. Byrne, developed by Crystal Palace and now a star at West Ham, turned the ball past Taibo from Terry Paine’s flick.

Very soon after the break England went 2-0 up. Bobby Charlton, winning his 50th cap, crossed for Greaves to cleverly bring the ball down and set up Byrne for a left-footer on the turn.

Uruguay pulled a goal back on 75 minutes through Spencer but England held on to win. Cohen, who spent his whole career at Fulham, impressed in defence and only missed four of the next 38 internationals.