Matt: 'The spirit between the 2 teams couldn't be better' says Barry. Whatever happens, that's how we'll remember this great World Cup.

We are under way! Peter Beardsley gets us going.

Blake Connolly, external: Barry Davies. Still my favourite commentator.

englandmark, external: Packed stadium, lovely weather, Gary Lineker in form....what could go wrong?

Laxatives, external: England are going to struggle against the likes of Maradona and Valdano up front

The world and his wife are tipping Diego Maradona to shine this afternoon.

The whole of England hopes he doesn't...

Former England captain Bobby Moore, speaking in the Sunday Telegraph: "It's impossible to make comparisons with other great players, but the one Diego Maradona reminds me of most is Johan Cruyff.

"He had the same fluency on the ball and could damage you from nothing. But he didn't have Maradona's incredible strength.

"Pele was the most complete footballer I ever saw, he could have played in any position and done well. Maradona is not his equal in the air and is more one-footed, but he does have the same deep, instinctive understanding of how to inflict the greatest damage in any attacking situation."

There's a man with a snake! In the crowd!

Goodness me. I wouldn't fancy standing next to him. Almost kick-off now...

As you'd expect on the morning of such a massive game, the papers are full of World Cup chat.

The Sunday Times reveals evidence which shows that Argentina won the 1978 World Cup by bribing Peru to lose in an earlier game. The match was fixed on the orders of the military junta in Buenos Aires.

The Observer reports that 3,000 riot police are gathered in Mexico City in preparation for the quarter-final, drawing special attention to England's "hulligans".

The Observer also says England are "At the mercy of the prima Maradona", comparing him to Pele, George Best and Johan Cruyff and saying he can "make a balanced team into world champions".

The Sun leads with "It's War Senor" and "Bring on the Argies!", evoking memories of its infamous "Gotcha" headline from 1982.

The Times says former president of the Argentine Football Federation, Admiral Lacoste, has been saying how much he welcomes the Anglo-Argentine confrontation, on the grounds that it would mean "a serious match between the two countries, and a chance to heal old wounds".

Read more in a special World Cup Rewind edition of the gossip column.

'God Save Our Queen' is piped out to the 114,000 crowd, with a lovely little flourish from the horn section too. Good singing from the England team - Steve Hodge on lead vocals by the sound of it...

A big loss, Captain Marvel. Can Peter Reid and Glenn Hoddle win that midfield battle?

All rise please - it's anthem time...

Bryan Robson
Injured England captain on World Cup Grandstand

"When you're on the bench, you are seeing everything and every time the opposition gets in the box, you think 'here we go'.

"I think we will beat them. From what I have seen in the World Cup so far, there is nothing we should be frightened of. OK, they have Diego Maradona and Jorge Valdano, but if we do well against them, we will do well in the game."

The atmosphere is really building nicely now. Barry Davies has said 'contest' 10 times already. This is brilliant.

Bobby Charlton
England's record goalscorer

"That was one of the most difficult matches we had to win against Argentina in 1966. I think that since the rest of the South American teams have gone out of the tournament, there is much more pressure on Argentina.

"England are on a crest, on an uphill and we wait to see if Gary Lineker can continue his goalscoring run."

john birchall, external: Watching in my room, I have to keep twisting my coat hanger in the back of my B/W portable to get a decent picture here!!!

Former England captain Bobby Moore, speaking in the Sunday Telegraph:

"I've not seen anyone so far in these finals who would be capable of marking Diego Maradona on a man-to-man basis.

"To do that, you've got to be as quick, strong and mobile as he is."

Ah but Bobby, he's not come up against Terry Fenwick yet has he?

Image source, Getty Images

Here they come. The players are out at a scorching Azteca.

Most Englishman would need a handkerchief over the head to even venture out into this heat - never mind chase Diego Maradona around for 90 minutes...

It's a strange quirk of Bobby Robson's World Cup squad that it does not contain a single player from newly-crowned champions Liverpool.

Runners-up Everton are the most represented, with four Toffees players in the ranks, Tottenham have three and Arsenal, Manchester United and AC Milan have two players each.

In all there are 14 teams with a player in the 22. Who will be the hero?

Statisticians OptaJoe on Twitter, external: 1 - Only one of the five goals involving Diego Maradona prior to the England game has been scored by the man himself. Provider.

Before England's quarter-final against Argentina, Gary Lineker had averaged a goal every 71.2 minutes in the tournament (five goals). Crisp.

England midfielder Peter Reid: "We did a little bit of work yesterday. You have to enjoy these things, you work all season for it. I am just going to enjoy it. I am fit, wait until you see me."

It's absolutely scorching in Mexico City today, real Phil Collins weather.

No Jacket Required.

England defender Terry Butcher on BBC World Cup Grandstand:

"We're all looking forward too it. It's the biggest game I've ever played in. My hair is getting too long now, I don't want to cut it until we lose. Hopefully that won't be today..."