Geoff Hurst's third goal against West Germany in 1966 has been voted in England's top ten

Geoff Hurst’s rasping left-footer in the last seconds of extra-time clinched England’s 4-2 victory against West Germany in the World Cup Final on a tense afternoon at a packed Wembley.

Late last year we asked fans via our official England Facebook page to choose their favourite Three Lions strikes. The West Ham United striker’s goal, which completed his hat-trick, has been voted in at number four.

With the tournament being played on home soil for the first time, Alf Ramsey’s England would never have a better chance of lifting the prized Jules Rimet trophy.

After a frustrating 0-0 draw against the ultra-defensive Uruguayans in their opening fixture, England topped Group One and then beat Argentina and Portugal to reach their first Final.

It was England’s eighth match against West Germany and they had never lost. But they were behind after 13 minutes as Ray Wilson misjudged a headed clearance and Haller tucked a low shot past Gordon Banks.

Hurst quickly levelled with a header from Bobby Moore’s free-kick, Martin Peters made it 2-1 on 78 minutes and Weber stunned a nation by sliding in an equaliser with only moments left.

Many teams would have folded after having victory snatched from their grasp in such dramatic fashion. But an England team inspired by Ramsey’s words as they prepared to start extra-time edged in front again with Hurst’s controversial second goal.

The ball bounced down from the underside of the bar and Swiss referee Dienst ruled that it had crossed the line.

England were hanging on at 3-2 on an energy-sapping pitch as the minutes ticked away. Then, with seconds to go, Hurst scored his third to seal the greatest day in the history of English football.

Skipper Moore, still majestic, put a superb defence-splitting pass up to his Hammers team-mate and he ran with the ball before firing it high into the net. “I just belted it”, he said afterwards.

“Some people are on the pitch. They think it’s all over. It is now!”

The final whistle swiftly followed. Jack Charlton sank to his knees, Bobby Charlton shed a tear, Wilson slapped his hands on the grass and a gap-toothed Nobby Stiles did his famous little jig. Bobby Moore received the trophy from the Queen and England were World Champions.

Geoff Hurst, knighted in 1998, is still the only player to net a World Cup Final hat-trick.

The top ten, so far…

4. Geoff Hurst’s third v West Germany (July 1966)
5. Joe Cole v Sweden (June 2006)
6. John Barnes, v Brazil (June 1984)
7. David Platt, v Belgium (June 1990)
8. Geoff Hurst's second, v West Germany (July 1966)
9. Steven Gerrard, v Germany (September 2001)
10. Danny Welbeck, v Sweden (June 2012)

Next week we'll unveil which goal you voted for as no.4 in England's best.