Sir Geoff Hurst: Gareth Southgate reminds me of Sir Alf Ramsey, England can win World Cup with him

Sir Geoff Hurst has likened England boss Gareth Southgate to Sir Alf Ramsey and believes the current national side can emulate the 1966 team and win the World Cup.

Southgate has taken the Three Lions to just their third World Cup semi-final ever and his men are only two victories away from achieving what Ramsey's group did 52 years ago, when Hurst scored a hat-trick in the final at Wembley.

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"The leadership at the top is vital," Hurst, who was speaking at the McDonald's & FA Community Football Day told Press Association Sport.

"We had a terrific manager in Alf Ramsey, who had a great system and he selected a team that could be successful and had good characters.

"We've seen the leadership with Gareth Southgate being very impressive, which has engendered a good team spirit. That seems to be quite evident, with what he says, how the team are celebrating with each other - we're not seeing any bad stories."

England had not won a World Cup knock-out game in over a decade prior to this tournament but now have an excellent chance to emerge as shock champions.

Hurst added: "Where we are today, I would say, categorically, quite clearly, we can win it, without a shadow of doubt."

Reporting by Press Association.