Several football fans might’ve asked themselves the question “ Which is the most famous save in football history “. This article will be looking at the international career of a legendary goalkeeper, whose astonishing save denied an otherwise sure shot goal that would’ve been scored by the great Pele. The moment was so iconic, the Brazilian legend was in disbelief, and the goalkeeper himself said that people will remember him for the save, rather than his brilliant heroics for England in the 1966 World Cup. Let us look back at the legendary stint of Gordon Banks as England’s goalkeeper.
England’s new goalkeeper
Gordon Banks had played twice for the England under-23 team in the year of 1961. The appointment of Alf Ramsey as new England manager after the 1962 World Cup became the catalyst that saw Banks get selected into the national side. His first game came on 6th April 1963 against Scotland at Wembley. England lost the game 2-1, but Banks was not at fault for any of the goals. He eventually established himself as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, replacing former no.1 Ron Springett.
Banks developed into a top goalkeeper in the months that followed, and even built up a solid understanding with his defenders in the national side. This included the likes of George Cohen, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, and Ray Wilson.
England became one of the best national sides at the time, and were going into the 1966 World Cup with immense confidence. They only lost 1 out of their last 21 matches going into the tournament, which came against Austria. Banks also missed that much due to an injury, which goes on to show how important he was to the team back then.
Eternal glory
Gordon Banks entered the 1966 FIFA World Cup as England's first choice goalkeeper, and his understudies Ron Springett and Peter Bonetti never took to the field during the tournament.
England began the tournament with a draw over Uruguay. This was followed by victories against the likes of Mexico and France that took them through the group stage.
The knockout stages saw England overcome Argentina and Portugal to reach the finals. The semi-final match that ended in a 2-1 victory for England over Portugal was also the first time Banks conceded a goal for England in 721 minutes of regular play. It was a Record achievement by an English goalkeeper, until it was broken by Jordan Pickford in 2021.
What happened in the final is known to most of us, as England beat West Germany 4-2 to lift the World Cup. History was made, as Banks and his men immortalized themselves in the history books.
The legendary moment against Brazil
After finishing the 1968 Euro cup in third place, England went into the 1970 World Cup as the defending champions. They began the tournament with a victory over Romania, but a tougher test awaited them in the form of Brazil.
Brazil won the match 1-0, but it was Banks who stole all the limelight. The match saw the legendary Pele connect a powerful header to send the ball low towards the right-hand corner of the goal, and he even shouted "Gol!" (Brazilian Portuguese for goal). Such was the perfection of the header, confidence of the player.
What followed was one of the most astonishing saves in football history, as Gordon Banks saved what was surely expected to be a goal by every single spectator of the game. Pele, Journalists, and pundits, would later describe the legendary split-second save as the greatest in the history of the game. The impact and brilliance of the save was so much that Banks even claimed "They won't remember me for winning the World Cup, it'll be for that save.
England went on to reach the last 8,but lost to West Germany 3-2 in the quarter finals. Banks was unable to feature in the game due to an upset stomach, and English fans will always imagine what would've been the match outcome if he had played.
Final years
Banks hoped to take part in the 1972 UEFA Euro, but they ultimately failed to qualify due to a 3-1 loss against West Germany in the final round of qualifying. He played his 73rd and final game for England on 27th May 1972, in a 1–0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park. He kept 35 clean sheets in 73 international games, and left as one of the greatest goalkeepers in English history.
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