England were gifted two World Cup goals in Bilbao on this day.

Ron Greenwood’s England beat Czechoslovakia in Bilbao during the 1982 World Cup on this day. The 2-0 victory came in their second match in Group Four.

England finished the tournament, their first for 12 years, with a remarkable record. They were unbeaten in five matches and conceded just one goal. But two 0-0 draws in ‘Phase Two’, against West Germany and their Spanish hosts, cost them a place in the semi-finals.

England met the dour Czechs in Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium four days after an opening 3-1 victory against France at the same ground. This time a 36,000 crowd saw England gifted two goals within four second-half minutes.

The Three Lions were the superior side from the start and could have been 3-0 up after ten minutes. It was a mystery that it took 63 minutes for them to take the lead, the goal coming when ‘keeper Seman dropped Ray Wilkins’ corner-kick and Trevor Francis volleyed into the empty net.

Three minutes later it was all over. Paul Mariner knocked a ball in from the right that was meant for Francis, but Czech right-back Barmos managed to intercept. Unfortunately for his team, he slid the ball past Seman for an own goal.

After two matches England had already made it through to the next stage.