BRYAN ROBSON: Scoring for England after just 27 seconds at the World Cup changed my life

England reached the milestone of 100 World Cup goals during their triumph over Wales this week. 

Here former England captain BRYAN ROBSON, who netted twice against France in 1982, tells Sportsmail just what it feels like to score for your country at a World Cup finals. 

As a kid I never dreamed I’d score in a World Cup, so when it happened it was an incredible feeling.

Growing up, watching Newcastle from the Leazes End terrace or kicking a ball about in the park, the most I’d dreamed of was becoming a professional footballer. Scoring in a World Cup against France, and with my first touch after just 27 seconds, changed my life.

The day before we were practising with Mick Mills taking a long throw from the left. Terry Butcher and Paul Mariner would make a move to the front post for a flick-on and my job was to ghost in behind and get on the end of it.

England’s Robson scored the fastest ever World Cup goal against France in 1982

We’d done this for a few hours when Don Howe, the coach, called a halt and we were trudging off. On the side, Steve Coppell and Ray Wilkins were watching and Steve said: ‘Don, if you need a throw from the right I can take one.’ Don said: ‘Go on then, let’s see,’ and Steve threw it to the edge of the six-yard box. Don said: ‘Right, that’ll do son, you’re on tomorrow.’

The next day, the game kicked off, Ray pinged it down the flank, Steve won a throw and took it, Terry flicked it on and I ran in.

France midfielder Alain Giresse had switched off, so I was on my own. The ball sat up high but I managed to almost scissor-kick it in.

We were stunned it had worked. I nearly jumped over Terry celebrating but thankfully he caught me.

The midfielder put England ahead with his first touch after just 27 seconds in 1982

France were one of the favourites, so it was no surprise that they hit back. The great thing was I was able to score a second.

Everyone talks about the fastest goal but the second is my favourite. Even Eric Cantona, a proud Frenchman, said it was one of my best.

It was a great cross from Trevor Francis and I got my run and jump just right so I was over the top of the ball and able to power it into the far corner. I didn’t know I could jump that high! Crucially it put us back in front and Paul Mariner finished them off by making it 3-1.

Paul and I had to go for drug testing with two France players afterwards but we were so dehydrated we couldn’t wee. I asked the doctor for two beers to help us, so the French lads asked for beers, too. I had mine and went for a wee but Paul couldn’t manage it and he was left behind.

Robson scored a second before Paul Mariner sealed a 3-1 victory at Spain ’82

Later, with the adrenaline pumping, I couldn’t sleep. I was going over and over the goals when, at 2am, there was a phone call and it was my father-in-law.

It turned out the excitement was even too much back home because my wife Denise had gone into labour and given birth to our second daughter Charlotte.

I had done an interview with ITV after the game and Jim Rosenthal said they’d messed it up so asked if I could go back the next day to do it again. I wasn’t keen as I’d had enough of interviews, but unbeknown to me they’d sent a TV crew to the hospital to film Denise with baby Charlotte.

They sat me in a room and put the video on and that was the first time I saw Charlotte — broadcast live on TV. So much for privacy!

The overwhelming memory of my 27th-second goal is the confidence I took from that. It’s something you look at now with Jude Bellingham getting his goal against Iran. Scoring in a World Cup gives you belief you can compete with anyone.