Geoff Hurst's World Cup final goal did cross the line, says Monday Night Football team

England and Germany get their Euro 2016 preparations underway when they meet in the first of two pre-tournament friendlies this weekend.

Saturday's clash at Berlin's Olympiastadion sees the respective nations renew their historic rivalry, almost 50 years on from their most famous meeting - the 1966 World Cup final.

England's one, and to date only, major honour is remembered for many reasons; Geoff Hurst's perfect hat-trick and Bobby Moore's flawless display to name but a few.

Yet it is the role of the 'Russian' linesman, and whether Hurst's crucial second goal crossed the line, which continues to divide opinion to the present day.

However in January, Sky Sports' Monday Night Football team, with the use of modern technology, concluded that the goal was correctly awarded.

Jamie Carragher and Ed Chamberlin marked the 50th anniversary of England's triumph by analysing the historic match in a Monday Night Football special.

And the duo used statistical data from Opta, plus the Sky Pad touchscreen and virtual reality from EA Sports, to provide a unique insight into England's 4-2 extra-time success.

Hurst was the hero of the afternoon with a hat-trick but his second goal, which put England 3-2 ahead in the 11th-minute of extra-time, remains the fuel for countless arguments.

Having received the ball in the penalty area from an Alan Ball cross, the forward turned and unleashed a shot which crashed down off the underside of the crossbar.

Azerbaijani linesman Tofiq Bahramov decided the ball had crossed the line and gave the goal, paving the way for England to claim their only World Cup win, which Hurst secured in the dying seconds when he rifled home his third goal of the game.

And Carragher used EA Sports technology to show that the whole of the ball had indeed crossed the line at the fateful moment when Hurst put England 3-2 up.

"The linesman has got it spot-on," said the former England defender. "He is maybe not in a great position but that proves it once and for all.

"It is not even close. There are two, three inches there.

"It has gone down in history - was it over the line, was it not? Thankfully, today we can put that all to bed."

Carragher was impressed by Hurst's turn in the box that led to the goal, and also thought it was significant that Roger Hunt celebrated a goal when the ball landed close to the line rather than diving in to try and apply a finishing touch.

"That is a fantastic touch from Hurst," said Carragher. "And I think what is also telling is the reaction of Roger Hunt.

"You would expect him to be putting it in, but he is wheeling away."

The Boys of '66 and the accompanying Monday Night Football special are available On Demand until 2017