It's Sunday. That means it's time to ignore the mess at Fifa and the proclamations of TASS about how Great Mother Russia is going to organise the most perfect World Cup ever. Instead here's a little, more personal, feel-good memory. This is brought on by the excitement of Malta being drawn in the same group as England in Russia 2018 qualifying.
In 1971 England played Malta in European Championship qualifying. It was a huge event for Malta. England were not really looking forward to playing on the sandy, rocky surface at the Gzira stadium. The Maltese supporters packed the stadium and any surrounding buildings that overlooked the pitch. England won 1-0 but it was far from easy and it took a late save from Gordon Banks to prevent an embarrassing 1-1 draw. For Malta a 1-0 loss to mighty England felt like a win anyway.
In the return match at Wembley, it was a little more straightforward as England won 5-0. However, the match has one of those interesting trivia facts that you can impress your friends with. For Maltese players in that team, and supporters, it may have been more embarrassing than interesting.
For the whole 90 minutes the ball never crossed the English goal line and Gordon Banks did not make one save. Imagine a football match you have watched recently and try to imagine how ultra defensive (or plain bad) Malta must have been.
Picture of match in Malta below.
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