It was an opening game to forget for Bobby Robson and co in 1986, a drab 1-0 defeat to Portugal.

Things picked up later on, Gary Lineker scoring six times, but it was Maradona and the 'Hand of God' who knocked England out in the last eight.

England v Portugal 1986 line-up:

Shilton; Stevens, Fenwick, Butcher, Sansom; Waddle, Robson, Wilkins, Hoddle; Hateley, Lineker

BBC News sports correspondent Natalie Pirks on Twitter:, external "About 90 minutes before kick-off Fifa will decide whether to recommend cooling breaks for players. Three minutes water/ice towel break at 30th and 75th minutes."

Jordan:, external Looking forward to seeing this team. Promising line-up. Let's do our country proud boys.

Vince:, external How Welbeck is starting over Barkley I will never know. Nowhere near as good a player.

Marcus:, external Hodgson playing safe with Rooney and Welbeck Id replace them with Lallana & Barkley. Not possession ball but fast and attacking.

Image source, Getty Images

In what may well be now codenamed 'Operation: False Dawn', England began their 1982 World Cup campaign superbly.

Bryan Robson scored after 27 seconds in a 3-1 win against France. It doesn't get much better than that, and it didn't for England as they failed to score in the second group stage and crashed out.

England v France 1982 line-up:

Shilton; Thompson, Mills, Butcher, Sansom; Coppell, Robson, Wilkins, Rix; Francis, Mariner.

Former England manager Graham Taylor on BBC Radio 5 live

"Roy Hodgson will be feeling alright. Roy himself has experience of World Cups before, he's managed in Italy and I wouldn't underestimate him. I thought he was a good appointment at the start and he's the first Englishman to be appointed with previous World Cup experience and he'll be handling the situation very well.

"He's been there and done it. If I had a chance again, I wish I had been 64 when the job was offered to be and not 44. The experience that Roy has had in this country and other countries is at this particular moment good for England. It's a plus point. The difference between international and club management, you're managing other managers' players who prepare for games in different ways."

Uruguay have taken the lead against Costa Rica thanks to a penalty from Edinson Cavani.

Don't forget you can follow that game in a separate page.

England captain Steven Gerrard says he is determined to leave the World Cup with happy memories - and that there can be no excuse for failure.

Brazil 2014 will be Gerrard's third major tournament as an England captain, having led his country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Midfielder Gerrard, 34, said: "As each day creeps closer to the game itself, a sense of excitement grows.

"It is here now. All the distances and the miles we have covered, the heat preparation - we have done all that. There are no excuses now."

Come on George, lift it...

Hamish:, external So much for no hype! The lead up to this game has ignited the excitement for English fans!

George:, external England - Italy to be the first 0-0 of the World Cup.

BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty in Manaus

"Would Roy Hodgson be bold or cautious? The selection of Raheem Sterling answers that one. A decision to be applauded."

Dan Roan
BBC sports news correspondent

"Positive and bold move by Hodgson to include Sterling. Made it very hard for manager to leave him out. Italy won't fancy him running at them."

Alan Shearer
BBC Sport

"I think if England play to their potential with fast flowing attacking football, we can get a result, I don't think anyone should fear the Italians. The most important thing is to remain calm.

"The more experienced members of the squad will sense the excitement and nerves from some of the younger players and help them with that. Now is the time to deliver, the talking stops. You've got to go and perform."

Chris:, external Ross Barkley may only be a kid (much younger than Gazza was when he started at a World Cup), but he has a certain je ne sais quoi. We haven't seen a player like him for a long time.

Dave:, external I have a feeling it will be England 2 Italy 1. Goals from Sterling and Rooney, it will be tough, gritty, you England fans won't have any nails left I bet after this, but have faith win, lose or draw, and don't go mental, its only a game!

Janet:, external So far Roy Hodgson has done well. He is an Alf Ramsey protege. Well spoken (unfortunately he doesn't come from Dagenham), intelligent and understated. Good luck England.

So Raheem Sterling does indeed start for England. Bold call!

Is it the right call?

BBC Sport's Dan Roan in Manaus

"The England team tonight:

"Hart: Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Welbeck, Sterling, Rooney; Sturridge."

Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf

"England have a good mix, talented players, experience and youth as well as a coach with experience. He is calm and there is not too much excitement around England like in South Africa surrounding the expectation of what they can do."

"Gianluigi Buffon is a very important loss for Italy. He is a leader but it is better to lose him for the first match rather than afterwards."

Image source, Getty Images

Paris St-Germain keeper Salvatore Sirigu is in line to start then, and he is being thrown into the deep end.

He's 27 but thanks to Gigi Buffon's longevity has only won eight caps and is something of an international novice.

However, given Iker Casillas's ropey display for Spain last night, perhaps the younger man is the way to go?

We could be about to find out...

Image source, Getty Images

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon: "Hello everyone. Life is beautiful and I am still in your debt, it will not be a game skipped or missed, another world to make me change my mind!

"There are many ways to be important, even if you are not the protagonist on the field, so great strength Salvatore, magical power guys - FORZA ITALY, my love!"

Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, veteran of over 140 caps and 12 World Cup appearances, is a major injury doubt after rolling his ankle in training.

The finest anthem singer of his generation, he would be a major loss if he is ruled out, and judging from his tweets earlier this afternoon, it looks like he is a goner...

Rooney, Sterling, Welbeck, Lallana - the world and his wife have their views on who Roy Hodgson should pick this evening.

The latest reports suggest that Roy has gone with Raheem Sterling. We should have team news for you just before 22:00 BST, but perhaps the biggest selection issue of all may come from the Italia camp...