Alf Ramsey’s England travelled to the 1970 World Cup as defending champions and warmed up for the tournament with a friendly against Columbia in Bogota. The visit has become associated with the controversial arrest of England’s captain Bobby Moore, an event that nearly triggered a minor diplomatic incident. In a footballing sense alone, the visit was a success with England running out 4-nil winners. England’s third was a trademark effort from Bobby Charlton, a goal that would turn out to be his last at international level.
Charlton went to three World Cups in the course of a glittering international career and will always be remembered for his contribution to England’s 1966 triumph. He made 106 appearances for England, scoring a record 49 goals. When Gary Lineker ended his career one short of Charlton’s record, he modestly said the great United midfielder was the better player and deserved to keep the record. Charlton scored three goals in England’s 1966 campaign, including a brace against a much-fancied Portugal in the semi-finals.
The ability to score goals from midfield is a defining characteristic of Charlton’s career. In Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, the current England team has two players capable of getting goals at any level.
Chelsea’s Frank Lampard boasts a remarkable record at club level. He has scored over 20 goals for the last five seasons, a record any striker would be proud of. Lampard announced his arrival on the international stage with three goals during Euro 2004.
Steven Gerrard got off to a great start in South Africa by scoring England’s first goal of the tournament. When Gerrard put a sweetly struck drive past the right hand of the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper during the last World Cup, he was recreating something rehearsed dozens of times for Liverpool. Like Charlton and Lampard, the Reds midfielder can punish sides who allow him the luxury of time and space outside the box.
Frank Lampard has travelled to South Africa after yet another prolific season for Chelsea in which he scored 27 goals in all competitions. Whereas Lampard will travel to South Africa looking to continue his club form, Gerrard will doubtless see the World Cup as a potential silver lining to a relatively gloomy season at Anfield.
Pundits often put the case for the importance of goals from midfield. Fabio Capello and England supporters will be keen to see Lampard and Gerrard emulate the 1966 success of their goal scoring predecessor Bobby Charlton at the World Cup in South Africa.
