Geoff Hurst: ‘Winning a World Cup for your country changes your life’

It’s been just over 50 years since England’s World Cup victory against West Germany in 1966 and still to this day Geoff Hurst remains the first and only footballer to ever score a hat trick in a World Cup final.

The impressive accomplishment not only immortalized him as a national hero, it also got him knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

Hurst says it’s moments like that – combined with winning the World Cup for your country on home soil – “changes your life quite dramatically.”

Hurst's second goal -- and England's third during the game -- which was awarded upon the judgement of the Russian linesman has remained one of the most controversial goals in the history of the competition

READ: From headbutts to the ‘Hand of God’: 11 moments that shook the World Cup

Talking to CNN Sport, he reflected on his unrivaled achievement that over 96,000 spectators witness and 400 million people tuned into television to watch.

The ‘silly jump’

Hurst’s first goal was scored in the 19th minute, which he headed into the net after a free kick was given to England captain, Bobby Moore. It sent England fans wild as it leveled the two teams, but for Hurst all he can remember is the embarrassing way he celebrated.

“After scoring the first goal I jumped, I didn’t really know what to do and made some kind of silly jump. I look at it now and I look like a real idiot, but you don’t really know what to do with yourself,” he said.

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Bobby Charlton (centre) holds his hands up as West German players protest after Geoff Hurst scores the controversial third goal during the World Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

The controversial goal

Then came extra time, after West Germany managed to wrangle another goal – leveling the scores at 2-2.

It was here that Hurst scored once again.

“The second goal has been hotly disputed and people still talk about it today,” he said.

The infamous goal hit the crossbar and sent the ball straight down on the line – making it virtually impossible to tell if it had crossed into the goal.

Geoff Hurst, 1966 —

Did it cross the line? With the scores between England and West Germany level at 2-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, striker Geoff Hurst's shot hit the crossbar and deflected downwards. At first a goal wasn't given, but then allowed after consultation between the referee and linesman. The game ended 4-2, securing England's first and only World Cup victory.

Pele, 1970 —

Brazil's 100th World Cup goal, celebrated wildly by Pele, who jumped into the air with joy as his side took the lead in the final against Italy. The game ended 4-1 to Brazil -- their third World Cup victory.

Dutch great Johan Cruyff scored three goals in the 1974 World Cup, twice against Argentina in the second round and then against Brazil in a 2-0 win that sent Holland through to the final.

Harald Schumacher, 1982 —

An ugly moment. German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher clattered into France's Patrick Battiston, who was through on goal, knocking him unconscious at the 1982 semifinal in Spain. Schumacher was unmoved as his opponent was stretchered off the field.

Diego Maradona, 1986 —

"The Hand of God" needs little introduction. England vs. Argentina, the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. A mis-hit clearance was heading into the hands of goalkeeper Peter Shilton, before a leaping Diego Maradona intercepted it with his hand, punching the ball into the net. The game ended 2-1, with Argentina going on to win the World Cup.

Roger Milla, 1990 —

One of the greatest ever World Cup celebrations. Roger Milla turned on the style at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which saw his Cameroon team reach the quarterfinals -- the furthest an Africa team has ever gone in the competition.

Andres Escobar, 1994 —

An own-goal by Colombia's Andres Escobar had tragic consequences. Less than a week after seeing his team eliminated from the competition due to his error, Escobar was shot dead on the streets of Medellin, a murder linked to drug lords who lost huge amounts of money on the result.

A Dutch master at work ... Dennis Bergkamp stops Frank de Boer's pass dead, transferring the ball to his left foot as he twists past Argentina's Roberto Ayala. His third touch, again with his right boot, flicks it past Carlos Roa, the keeper. Three perfect touches to take the ball from a speculative punt upfield to what remains one of the ultimate moments of skill ever displayed in a World Cup.

2006, Zinedine Zidane —

A rush of blood to the head. With the 2006 World Cup final moving into extra-time, goalscorer Marco Materazzi muttered a few words to France legend Zinedine Zidane, who returned with a headbutt to the Italian's chest. In his last ever professional match, Zidane was red carded and Italy went on to win on penalties.

Luis Suarez, 2010 —

Another South American -- this time Uruguayan Luis Suarez -- another handball. This one, however, was less subtle. Suarez's hands prevented Ghana from bagging a winner in extra-time. He saw red, and Asamoah Gyan's whacked the resulting penalty against the bar. Uruguay went on to win on penalties.

Brazil vs. Germany, 2014 —

One of the biggest humiliations the World Cup has ever seen. Brazil has struggled for form throughout the tournament, which was being played on home soil for the first time in 64 years, and met an impressive German side in the semifinals. But few could have predicted what was to follow: a 7-1 demolition by the visitors, who went on to lift the World Cup trophy.

From headbutts to the 'Hand of God': 11 moments that defined the World Cup

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One minute left

With one minute left before the end of play, and the score sitting at 3-2, Bobby Moore sent the ball in a long pass to Hurst.

He says he remembers vividly what was going through his head prior to scoring the winning goal. The moment that sealed England’s fate with a 4-2 victory.

“I was thinking ‘I’m tired, I know the game’s nearly over, I’m now going to hit this ball with everything I’ve got left’ and as everyone knows I miss hit it and it flew in,” he said.

READ: “We’ll go there to try to win the World Cup,’ says Belgium Eden Hazard.

England captain Bobby Moore kissing the Jules Rimet trophy as the team celebrate winning the 1966 World Cup final against Germany at Wembley Stadium. His team mates are, left to right, George Cohen, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

Hurst says he continues to realize the importance of winning the World Cup.

“People still talk about it today. I bumped into a woman only last week who got married on the World Cup final day and she was telling us that during the marriage service in the church with the sermon, the vicar kept telling everybody during the sermon what the score was during the game!”

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Still to this day, the viewing figures for the 1966 match is still the highest recorded for an event broadcast on British television – with over 32 million (60% of Britain’s population) tuning in.