Geoff Hurst vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1941, retired 1976) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Put Geoff Hurst and Elías Figueroa side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. The raw numbers read 250 goals in 650 outings for Geoff Hurst (0.38/game), versus 40 in 600 for Elías Figueroa (0.07/game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give Geoff Hurst 3 and Elías Figueroa 5, with 1× FIFA World Cup (1966) and 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968) the standout honours respectively. Across the post-war golden age and the 1970s respectively, their mercurial and rugged styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Geoff Hurst built his reputation across West Ham United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, peaking around 1966, while Elías Figueroa reached his defining level around 1974 after spells with Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
178 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
The only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, Hurst's three goals for England against West Germany in 1966 remain one of football's most iconic feats.
“A powerful, intelligent striker whose aerial ability and clinical finishing made the difference on the biggest stage of all.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1966)
- 1× FA Cup (1964)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1965)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1959 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1966 Won FIFA World Cup with West Ham United
- 1965 Won UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with West Ham United
- 1966 Reached the peak of his powers at West Ham United
- 1976 Retired after a final spell at West Bromwich Albion
- Finished his career with 250 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 250 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours.
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Elías Figueroa takes it by a clear margin.
Elías Figueroa edges it (a clear margin)
