SportFootballEngland football teamTicket for England v Norway World Cup qualifier was a bit cheaper 46 years ago14:34, 10 Jul 2026The last time England beat Norway in the World Cup was 46 years ago and I can remember it - because I was at the match! I even kept my ticket for the game. I actually found it in a box hidden away in the loft just before I came to the United States. To watch England win 4-0 on 10th September 1980 cost me just £3.50 - the equivalent of £19 today. Tickets for tomorrow will cost slightly more - the cheapest available are £1500. Many are going for £3/4,000. I was one of 48,000 in the crowd and have hazy memories of Ipswich Town’s Eric Gates and Arsenal’s Graham Rex making their debuts in a comfortable win.‌‌An internet search tells me that England legends like Peter Shilton, Bryan Robson and Phil Thompson were in the side. The win was largely forgotten as the return match in Oslo went into football history as it led to one of the famous commentaries of all time.‌England superfan Peter Robinson was at both games. At the final whistle of the 1981 World Cup match between the countries Bjørge Lillelien screamed his passionate response to the Norway’s shock win.Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister at the time and her popularity was rock bottom - it was a year before the Falklands War saved her. In a mix of Norwegian and English Lillelien bellowed passionately: “Maggie Thatcher can you hear me. Maggie Thatcher we have knocked England out of the World Cup.‌"Your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating, Maggie Thatcher.”He went on screaming: "Lord Nelson. Lord Beaverbrook. Sir Winston Churchill. Sir Anthony Eden. Clement Attlee. Henry Cooper. Lady Diana. We have beaten all of them."‌As it happened the shock defeat in the group stages didn’t prevent England from making the World Cup finals in Spain in 1982. He delivered this passionate rant on September 9th 1981, after Norway secured a historic 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over England in OsloRobinson, 69, from Hayes, west London said: “I was at the game and I remember it quite well. It really was a big shock at the time.Article continues below“England were strong favourites and were expected to win. Norway certainly didn’t have anyone like Erling Harland. We left the ground on the final whistle and went into Oslo city centre for a beer.“I obviously didn’t hear the commentary at the time. But when we got home it was played. “Over the years it’s become quite iconic and what a memory for history that commentator had! Let’s hope it’s not same result in Miami.”Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Falklands WarClement AttleeAnthony EdenHenry CooperSir Winston ChurchillPeter ShiltonBryan RobsonPhil ThompsonPrincess DianaMargaret ThatcherEngland football teamRoyal FamilyThe FalklandsWorld Cup qualifiers