The only time England ever hosted the World Cup just so happens to be the only time they have won it.

In a memorable final, the Three Lions beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium, with Geoff Hurst becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final. That record stood until Kylian Mbappe did the same in the last final, at Qatar 2022.

West Germany took the lead after 12 minutes and, after Hurst had levelled six minutes later, Martin Peters put England ahead. Wolfgang Weber equalised with just a minute to go, forcing extra time.

Hurst scored a controversial goal in the 101st minute, with debates over whether it crossed the line continuing into the 21st century.

There was no doubt about his third and England's fourth, however, as the West Ham striker fired into the top corner as fans ran on to the pitch to begin their celebrations early.

The story remains etched on the nation's collective soul some 60 years later...

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Brazil retained the trophy four years after their first success in 1958, beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final in Santiago, the capital of Chile.

Pele was injured in the second match of the tournament, making it all the more impressive that the holders were able to go on and win the tournament again.

Amarildo, Zito and Vava all scored in the final.

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Enter stage left another South American World Cup hero - one Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

Brazil defeated the hosts Sweden 5-2 to win the World Cup for the first time in 1958 as a rising star better known as Pele became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final (17 years and 249 days). He actually scored two that day.

Brazil banished the memories of 1950, while this stands as Sweden's best-ever finish at the tournament.

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I could swear Diego Maradona did something else in this game that was all together more noteworthy, but it seems punching the ball past Peter Shilton is the thing some people remember most fondly...

Hosted at the Wankdorf Stadium in Switzerland, the 1954 final is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Hungary had defeated West Germany 8-3 in the group stage and went 2-0 up within the first eight minutes of the final.

West Germany were level by the 18th minute, however, and Helmut Rahn completed the turnaround in the 84th minute, clinching West Germany their first-ever World Cup.

It was also the first time the tournament had been won by anyone other than Uruguay or Italy.

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No World Cup tournament took place between 1938 and 1950 due to World War II.

In 1950, it returned, being hosted in Brazil...leading to a moment that would go down as one of the most harrowing moments in the country's World Cup history.

It followed a new format, with the winner being determined by a final group stage of four teams who played one another in a round-robin.

Going into the final game, Uruguay had to win, while Brazil only needed to avoid defeat to be crowned World Cup champions. Spain and Sweden were too far behind to be in the running, so this match is considered the 'final'.

Uruguay came back from a goal down to beat Brazil 2-1, with Alcides Ghiggia scoring the winner 11 minutes from time to give them their second World Cup.

Better times were just around the corner for Brazil though...

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What happened in 1966?

Only yoking, we're coming to that Jackie, don't worry.

Pele and Maradona will be covered as well.

But what else should we focus on?

We will let you decide. Just click 'Get Involved' and make your case.

You have 1,000 games to choose from. So many memories, so little time!

Another World Cup fact for you.

Italy became the first World Cup winners to retain the title in 1938 when they beat Hungary 4-2 in the final in Paris.

This was also the first time a team had won the World Cup on foreign soil.

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Don't worry, we are not going to examine every final in World Cup history, just a selection of notable moments.

After hosts Uruguay made their mark on history by winning the first ever World Cup final in 1930, there was again glory for the host nation when the World Cup headed to Europe - and Italy - in 1934.

Sixteen teams qualified for the competition, which was played in a straight knockout format.

Holders Uruguay were absentees from the competition, having declined to participate in response to Italy’s refusal to travel to the 1930 event - sadly, that would not be the last time politics got in the way of the football.

As a result, Uruguay are also the only nation not have made a defence - successful or otherwise - of their World Cup title.

Italy beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final to win the tournament after Angelo Schiavio struck the winner five minutes into extra time.

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Thanks Jeff for getting us started off.

We assume that's a reference to Archie Gemmill's weaving solo goal that clinched a famous 3-2 win for Scotland against eventual finalists the Netherlands in the group stages of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.

It is now almost 100 years since the first World Cup finals.

What we want to know is you personal highlight from the subsequent 1,000 games.

We are going to do our bit by flagging some of the key World Cup moments over the past century, but would love to hear from you.

Which is your favourite World Cup memory and why?

Tell us by getting in touch using the 'Get Involved' button and we will publish a cross-section.

Thanks.

So we know 13 nations competed in the inaugural edition of the Fifa World Cup in 1930 - but which countries took part?

You already know France, Mexico, USA and Belgium from the previous post, as well as hosts Uruguay.

The other countries to take part were Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Romania and Yugoslavia.

All matches took place in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, with the host nation eventually emerging triumphant after beating South American rivals Argentina 4-2 in a thrilling final.

Fifa president Jules Rimet presented the winning team with the World Cup trophy, which was later renamed in his honour.

A national holiday was declared in Uruguay the day after the final to celebrate the team’s historic victory.

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As the Fifa World Cup reached its 1,000th match, we are turning back the clock to look at some landmark moments in World Cup history, starting with all the finals throughout the history of the tournament.

The first World Cup finals were held in 1930 in Uruguay.

A total of 13 teams took part, with the opening two group games taking place at the same time.

While France and Mexico faced one another in Group One at Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo, USA were taking on Belgium in Group Four in Estadio Parque Central.

France beat Mexico 4-1 while USA triumphed 3-0 against Belgium, so both France and the USA can lay claim to winning the first ever match at a finals.

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