With Everton scheduled to relocate from their Goodison Park home in time for the 2024/25 season, with a brand-new ground under construction at the Bramley-Moore Dock, there is precious time left to take in the history that envelops the iconic stadium, a venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in the history of the sport.
One such individual whose talent burnt brightly on the Goodison turf was Portuguese superstar Eusebio, representing his country at the 1966 World Cup. The Mozambique-born forward finished the tournament as top scorer with nine goals, six of which he scored at Goodison Park.
A brace against Brazil in a 3-1 win for Portugal opened Eusebio’s Goodison Park account, however it was his incredible four-goal display against North Korea in the quarter-final for which he is possibly most remembered. As the North Koreans burst into a remarkable 3-0 lead, no doubt to the surprise of those in attendance, Eusebio almost single-handedly staged one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks.
Two goals for the forward before the break made it 3-2. It was all square nine minutes into the second half as Eusebio completed his hattrick, before putting Portugal into a 4-3 lead just before the hour mark. A Jose Augusto header with ten minutes remaining sealed a memorable 5-3 win for the Portuguese, who would go on to finish in third place at the tournament.
The visit of Eusebio’s beloved Benfica for a Europa League tie in 2009 afforded the iconic attacker the opportunity to return to Goodison Park for the first time in over forty years, when the forward reflected fondly on his World Cup exploits.
Action Images / Carl Recine, Livepic
Eusebio said, “Sorry, I don’t speak good English. But today for me, for my family, it’s a good day, for Benfica to play here. This stadium for me is the best stadium in my playing life.”
With Everton’s new stadium selected as part of the UK and Ireland’s joint-bid to host Euro 2028, the Toffees could once again welcome international football’s best and brightest, and perhaps the superstars of the modern era will develop the same affection for the club’s new home, just as Eusebio did for our current one.