Rice breaks 1966 German duck

England’s 1966 World Cup final win over West Germany is still heralded in the nation, while Germany held the most recent bragging rights during the most recent meetings, coupled with their four World Cups and three European Championships.

That was until tonight when  Declan Rice and England beat the Germans in open play in a major tournament for the first time since 1966.

In major tournaments, England have produced just two wins before tonight. Germany, meanwhile, have won four of those games, twice on penalties in 1990 and 1996. During the knockout rounds of tournament finals since 1966, Germany have beaten England all three times they have played – two of which were on penalties.

That duck is now broken and Hammer Declan Rice who was part of the historic match at Wembley Stadium just as Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Bobby Moore were when West Ham won the world cup 55 years ago.

Although England has beaten their biggest international rivals this evening they still need to win the quarters, semis and the final for this win to mean someething.