Image source, PA

After Argentina beat Italy on penalties to reach the final, their star player Diego Maradona said: "I want to play England again. I'm sad for Italy, but I've dreamed throughout this tournament that we would come up against England in the final.

"That has been in my mind all along and while I know they must beat a very good German team to make it come true, I will be cheering for them in Turin."

Nice try. But we've not forgiven you Diego for four years ago...

Image source, Getty Images

In just a few hours' time England could book their place in a second World Cup final, a truly momentous occasion.

But it's been a big year for sport across the board. Who can forget Buster Douglas's shocking knockout of Mike Tyson back in February? Nobody - especially Iron Mike - saw that one landing.

A young man from Stoke, Phil Taylor, won his first darts title, Nick Faldo won the Masters, Mr. Frisk won the Grand National and Stephen Hendry won the World Snooker at the Crucible.

One to watch?

What is going on here then?

Don't worry, you've not entered some sort of parallel universe. We haven't found a flux capacitor and managed to get the time machine working - it is categorically not 1990.

But for the next few hours it is. This is World Cup Rewind, and the fourth of our five chosen classic games. Stay with us for full text and video coverage of the 1990 World Cup semi-final between England and West Germany, with the BBC video kicking in at 15:00 BST.

So play along, let us know your thoughts before and during the game. Alternatively, let us know your memories of the game and we'll include them in our 'Fast Forward' sections...

The Times reports that 7,000 Italian police will attempt a day-long segregation of England and West Germany fans before their World Cup semi-final in Turin.

The Times is also reporting that Cameroon captain Stephen Tataw is tipping England to beat West Germany. Can they reach the final? "Why not?" he said. "Nobody thought we would beat Colombia in the second round but we did."

Image source, Guardian

The Sun says that England manager Bobby Robson has said "this is my biggest game, it beats everything else."

The Daily Express is reporting that West Germany manager Franz Beckenbauer is happy his team are facing England. "I'm glad that England are our opponents, not that they are weaker than Cameroon, but we know them better," he said.

The Guardian believes that Graham Taylor is set to succeed England manager Bobby Robson after the World Cup whether they win or lose.

The Guardian is also reporting that London is bracing itself for 'World Cup rush hour'. There are fears people rushing home in cars to see the game will gridlock the streets.

The Daily Mirror thinks that in the absence of John Barnes, Chris Waddle is set for a more advanced role just behind Gary Lineker

Catch up with the latest gossip in today's gossip column

I imagine a few of you struggled to sleep last night as the enormity of today's game weighed on your mind. But relax, we're amongst friends here.

Can England do it? Will they end 24 years of hurt? Who are the key men?

Have you styled your hair in a Chris Waddle-style mullet in preparation? Can you do the John Barnes rap? Are you worried about Jurgen Klinsmann?

Let us know how you're coping out there. You can tweet us at #WC90,, external text in on 81111 (UK Only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook page. , external

Press Association reports: "The nation is set to shut up shop as England bid for a place in the World Cup final. After the host side Italy's exit from the competition last night, about 30 million people are expected to shun restaurants, cinemas and other public places to watch the team's semi-final match against West Germany on television.

"Offices, factories and shops plan to close early to allow workers to get home in time for kick-off. But there are fears that the party mood could be spoilt by violence. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sent a good luck message to England manager Bobby Robson and his squad but tempered it by saying that she hoped the fans behaved."

England start as underdogs - there's no doubt about that - but in Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne and David Platt they have the talent to unsettle any side.

Bobby Robson, in his final few days before leaving the job, could take England into the World Cup final. What a way to go out...

If your world hasn't been in motion over the last few weeks then quite frankly you must be dead inside.

Italia '90 may have been a slow burner, with England's group in particular throwing up some turgid stuff, but the business end has caught fire.

England scraped through a compelling quarter-final with Cameroon to reach today's semi-final with the old enemy West Germany and I don't think I could be more excited.

'World in Motion' has gone gold, everyone's suddenly listening to Pavarotti and a young man named Gazza is on his way to becoming a household name...

Image source, Getty Images

"Express yourself, create the space,

Image source, Getty Images

"You know you can win, don't give up the chase.

"Beat the man, take him on,

Image source, Getty Images

"You never give up, it's one on one."