Magnificent Goal!

Steven Toplis
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Magnificent Goal! is a podcast dedicated to the history of England football team - from the iconic highs to the heartbreaking near-misses. Hosted by England fan Steven Toplis, each episode revisits key chapters in England's history, looking back at the matches, players, tournaments and moments that have shaped the Three Lions over the decades. Steven is joined by fellow fans and special guests to help unpick the legacy of the Three Lions. We take you back to those unforgettable moments in England's history and tell the stories behind them. Whether you’ve followed the Three Lions for years or are just starting out as an England supporter, this podcast is for you.

  1. Jul 7

    England 3-2 Mexico: Is this England's greatest tournament win?

    Where does England's dramatic World Cup victory over Mexico rank alongside the greatest tournament wins in the nation's history? Steven Toplis is joined by journalist and author Robert Taylor to reflect on an unforgettable night at the Azteca Stadium and ask if this England's greatest ever victory at a major tournament. What makes a truly great England tournament match? Is it the quality of the football, the drama, the opposition, or the significance of the occasion? And has this extraordinary game in Mexico City already earned its place in England football folklore? Listen now and let us know your rankings. Where does England 3-2 Mexico sit in your all-time list? Robert's book 'Tears for England: Obsession, Hope and Heartbreak with the England Football Team' is available in all good bookshops and through the links below. Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tears-England-Obsession-Heartbreak-Football/dp/1836804210 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/tears-for-england/robert-taylor/9781836804215 TG Jones: https://www.tgjonesonline.co.uk/product/robert-taylor/tears-for-england--obsession-hope-and-heartbreak-with-the-england-football-team/15876496 Stanchion Books: https://stanchionbooks.com/products/tears-for-england-obsession-hope-and-heartbreak-with-the-england-football-team

  2. Jul 5

    England at Mexico '86 40 years on - The Finals (Part 2) [England vs. Argentina, World Cup quarter-final 1986]

    In our final part of our look back at England's 1986 World Cup campaign, we revisit one of the most controversial matches in the history of the England team, and in the tournament's history. The 1986 quarter-final saw England face Argentina, led by the mercurial talent of Diego Maradona. The game at the Azteca Stadium has gone down in football folklore and we examine the 90 minutes here. Steven Toplis is joined by writer and podcaster Michael Hamlen from @80s90sFootball as well as Asif Burhan, journalist and author of the new book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God' which dives into this game and England's wider exploits at Mexico '86. We take a look at how England set themselves up to face Maradona in the searing heat of Mexico City. We revisit the way the diminutive genius single-handedly destroyed England's World Cup hopes with a moment of villany, followed by a moment of inspiration. We also look at how England rallied thanks to John Barnes' cameo and talk about just how close the Three Lions came to salvaging the game in the dying stages. You can find Michael by heading to @80s90sFootball on X and Bluesky. Asif's book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God' is published by Pitch Publishing and available at all good book shops. Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Side-Hand-God-Notorious/dp/1836805209 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-other-side-of-the-hand-of-god/asif-burhan/9781836805205

  3. Jul 5

    England at Mexico '86 40 years on - The Finals (Part 1)

    Magnificent Goal! continues its journey through England's 1986 World Cup campaign by reaching the finals themselves in Mexico. Steven Toplis is joined by writer and podcaster Michael Hamlen from @80s90sFootball as well as Asif Burhan, journalist and author of the new book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God' which chronicles England's World Cup exploits of 40 years ago. We take a look at the squad that Bobby Robson picked for the tournament and examine a few high-profile names who missed the cut. Then we go on to England's opening game against Portugal where things begin to unravel, before they get even worse in the next match against Morocco. We go into the changes that Bobby Robson made to his side in response to the Three Lions' poor start to the competition and look at the games against Poland and Paraguay, where England first of all redeem themselves to reach the knockout stages, before booking a place in the quarter-finals with an emphatic victory - with Gary Lineker proving himself to be one of the world's most clinical marksmen. You can find Michael by heading to @80s90sFootball on X and Bluesky. Asif's book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God' is published by Pitch Publishing and available at all good book shops. Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Side-Hand-God-Notorious/dp/1836805209 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-other-side-of-the-hand-of-god/asif-burhan/9781836805205

  4. Jul 4

    England at Mexico '86 40 years on - Qualification (Part 2)

    Magnificent Goal! continue its look back through England's qualification campaign for Mexico '86. Steven Toplis is joined by writer and podcaster Michael Hamlen of @80s90sFootball fame and Asif Burhan, journalist and author of the new book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God'. We pick up the story in the summer of 1985, as England embark on a tour of Mexico and the United States to play in the Ciudad de Mexico and Azteca 2000 triangular tournaments, with matches against Italy, the hosts and a memorable clash with West Germany. We then move on to September 1985 when Romania come to Wembley and a 20-year-old by the name of Gheorghe Hagi catches the eye for the visitors. There's a look at the qualifier against Northern Ireland which had observers in Bucharest fuming. We wrap up by revisiting England's early form in 1986 with three victories on the spin away from home, including an impressive win behind the Iron Curtain against the USSR. In these games another new face makes a big impression for Bobby Robson's men before the World Cup finals. You can find Michael by heading to @80s90sFootball on X and Bluesky. Asif's book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God' is published by Pitch Publishing and available at all good book shops. Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Side-Hand-God-Notorious/dp/1836805209 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-other-side-of-the-hand-of-god/asif-burhan/9781836805205

  5. Jul 4

    England at Mexico '86 40 years on - Qualification (Part 1)

    2026 marks 40 years since the unforgettable 1986 World Cup in Mexico and with the 2026 edition taking place in Mexico alongside the United States and Canada, Magnificent Goal! relieves England's Mexico '86 campaign 4 decades on. Steven Toplis is joined by writer and podcaster Michael Hamlen from @80s90sFootball on X as well as Asif Burhan, journalist and author of the brilliant new book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God' which looks back at England's escapades in South America 40 years ago. We start by revisiting England's qualification campaign for the 1986 finals, which begins in the summer of 1984 in the wake of the Three Lions' failure to qualify for Euro '84 in France. We look at how Bobby Robson started to re-shape his Three Lions side, with new faces emerging who would go on to play a starring role in Mexico and beyond. There's also a look at how Robson and the national side navigated arguably English football's darkest period off the pitch in May 1985. You can find Michael by heading to @80s90sFootball on X and Bluesky. Asif's book 'The Other Side of the Hand of God' is published by Pitch Publishing and available at all good book shops. Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Side-Hand-God-Notorious/dp/1836805209 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-other-side-of-the-hand-of-god/asif-burhan/9781836805205

  6. Jun 13

    Magnificent Goal meets: Gary Newbon

    In this special episode of Magnificent Goal! Steven Toplis is joined by one of the most familiar faces in British sports broadcasting, Gary Newbon. Across a remarkable career spanning over 50 years, Gary covered seven World Cups and numerous European Championships for ITV, enjoying a front-row seat to some of England's most memorable moments. Gary shares his memories of covering the Three Lions at major tournaments, including what life was like around the England camp during football's biggest events. He recalls the extraordinary experience of looking after Brian Clough on the night England were famously denied a place at the 1974 World Cup by Poland, and later acting as a chaperone for Sir Alf Ramsey during the tournament itself. During his career with ITV and Sky Sports he interviewed and worked with England football royalty including the likes of Jimmy Greaves, Billy Wright, Peter Shilton and Geoff Hurst, and he shares some of those experiences here. This is a fascinating conversation packed with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and unique memories from a lifetime in broadcasting.

  7. Jun 6

    When England played New Zealand twice in a week

    With England facing New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Saturday, host Steven Toplis is joined by Glen Isherwood from EnglandFootballOnline.com to look back at the last time the two nations met - twice in the space of just five days in 1991. We look at how Graham Taylor's England side went on a lengthy tour that took in Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand, uncovering stories that go far beyond the football. We look at the camaraderie that developed between the England and New Zealand squads, the evenings out that saw David Platt driving the team van, and a spectacular missed chance from Geoff Thomas that deserves to be far better remembered. Join us for a fascinating glimpse into a different era of international football, when long overseas tours, post-match socialising and back-to-back fixtures against the same opponents were all part of the England experience. Follow Magnificent Goal! on X @MagnificentGoal

  8. Jun 2

    England's most controversial squads

    Magnificent Goal! is back for World Cup 2026 as we dive into Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the tournament. We assess the biggest selections, omissions and surprises before comparing Tuchel's choices with some of the most controversial and memorable England squad calls in Three Lions history; from Gazza's heartbreak in 1998 to Theo Walcott's surprise inclusion in 2006. Steven Toplis is joined by Davey Naylor from EnglandStats.com and author and journalist Robert Taylor, who has recently published his new book 'Tears for England: Obsession, Hope and Heartbreak with the England Football Team.' Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss any of our World Cup 2026 specials in the weeks ahead.

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About

Magnificent Goal! is a podcast dedicated to the history of England football team - from the iconic highs to the heartbreaking near-misses. Hosted by England fan Steven Toplis, each episode revisits key chapters in England's history, looking back at the matches, players, tournaments and moments that have shaped the Three Lions over the decades. Steven is joined by fellow fans and special guests to help unpick the legacy of the Three Lions. We take you back to those unforgettable moments in England's history and tell the stories behind them. Whether you’ve followed the Three Lions for years or are just starting out as an England supporter, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Toplis
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Magnificent Goal!