Relive Classics: Wales beat world champions Germany 1-0

1. Wales face World Champions Germany in 1991
2. Both teams eyeing top spot in the group for a place in the European Championships
3. Bo Karlsson of Sweden is the referee
4. Thomas Berthold sent off for Germany on the hour mark
5. Ian Rush puts Wales ahead seven minutes later

Back to reality!

Well, that was fun, wasn't it?

It's still a mystery how this Wales vintage - the likes of Southall, Ratcliffe, Hughes and Rush - failed to qualify for a major tournament.

But as a single, one-off victory, this must rank as one of the greatest in Welsh football history.

Thank you for helping us relive that memorable night in 1991.

Until next time, stay safe, stay distant and take care.

Who would win: Wales 1991 or Wales 2016?

We posed this question yesterday, and the people have spoken.

BBC Sport

A night 'I will never forget' - Rush

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, goalscorer Ian Rush said: “It was an amazing night, something I will never forget.

“I got a yard on Buchwald and just got in front of him, I knew I needed to get my body in front of him so the worst that could happen was we got a penalty.

“But the ball bounced up and I had to adjust my body, but luckily it went into the bottom corner.

“After that Germany pressed and were the Germany we knew from the World Cup.

“I got the goal and get the glory, but Neville Southall deserves a lot of credit, he made a couple of magical saves.

“It was an incredible night, to beat the world champions was something really, really special."

Getty Images

Get Involved

One of Wales' finest wins ever

Rob Phillips

BBC Wales Football Correspondent

This must go down as one of Wales’ finest ever international victories – an “I was there!” experience for the 38,000 who made the National Stadium a cauldron.

Yes, things went Wales’ way - notably, of course, Thomas Berthold’s red card and the half-time departure of Lothar Mattheus.

And predator Ian Rush’ most significant Wales goal and Neville Southall’s heroics will rightly capture the headlines.

But Wales should salute all its heroes, inflicting a first competitive defeat on the world champions in three years.

Former world champions Brazil are next before the crucial return in Nuremburg – these are exciting times for Terry Yorath’s burgeoning football flag bearers.

'Great day for Wales' says Yorath

Manager Terry Yorath reflects on Wales' win over Germany

Wales' players embrace on the pitch. Gary Speed runs over to hug the winning goal-scorer, Ian Rush, both beaming with huge smiles.

There are fans on the pitch as well. Scenes of pure joy in Cardiff.

And now Rush walks over to Jurgen Klinsmann to swap shirts with the great German striker.

Rush, wearing that magnificent Germany kit, salutes the fans as he basks in the glory of what must surely be his finest hour as a Wales player.

Full Time: Wales 1-0 Germany

Get Involved

FULL-TIME - Wales 1-0 Germany

There it is! The final whistle!

WALES HAVE BEATEN THE WORLD CHAMPIONS!

Hearts in mouths for Wales again.

There are cheers among the home supporters, who think referee Bo Karlsson has blown the final whistle.

In fact, he's awarded a free-kick. Panicked, some Wales fans seem to think it's an indirect German free-kick in the Welsh penalty area but, in fact, it's awarded to the hosts.

Neville Southall is so relieved he shakes Karlsson's hand with a big grin on his face.

Only seconds left now...

Those Welsh nerves are getting frayed now!

Germany work the ball into Wales' penalty area and, in an attempt to pass it back to Neville Southall, Wales right-back David Phillips almost lays it on a plate for Stefan Effenberg.

Luckily for Phillips, the ball just evades the German substitute and Southall clutches it gratefully.

Get Involved

Wales are living dangerously here.

Rudi Voller crosses from the left and Stefan Effenberg flicks an effort towards goal but Neville Southall saves again.

Get Involved

SUBSTITUTION

Wales make their first substitution of the match in the 90th minute as midfielder Gary Speed comes on for Dean Saunders, who receives a warm ovation as he leaves the pitch.

"There's only one Neville Southall," sing the Wales fans.

The goalkeeper's next involvement is to be targeted by Rudi Voller, who tries to bodycheck Southall as the ball floats out harmlessly for a Wales goal kick.

Southall doesn't seem bothered. In fact, he's laughing.

'Southall like Banks'

Leighton James

Former Wales winger

That's a save to match [England goalkeeper] Gordon Banks' save in Mexico [to deny Pele in the 1970 World Cup]. Magnificent.

I think this man's performance will win the game for Wales tonight.

Southall's sensational save

As a future Radio Wales commentator would say: Wow. Just wow.

Was that the greatest save in the history of Welsh football?

The comparison with Gordon Banks in Mexico, made by Leighton James, certainly seems apt.

Getty Images

GREAT SAVE!

What a save by Neville Southall!

Andreas Brehme swings in another fine cross from Germany's left and Jurgen Klinsmann rises to meet it with a downward header which looks destined for the net - but Southall dives brilliantly to his left to smother the ball.

A bit of pinball ensues in the penalty area but Wales eventually clear.

The hosts breathe a sigh of relief and once again it's thanks to Southall. What a player the Everton goalkeeper is.

Wales' assistant boss' name is a tricky thing

Wales assistant boss Peter Shreeve is someone you might have noticed tonight alongside Terry Yorath.

This would the last time Shreeve would be the Wales assistant, as he would return to Tottenham as head coach the following month to work under new chief executive Terry Venables, who switched from the dug-out to the boardroom.

But is it Peter Shreeve? Or is it Peter Shreeves? You will have heard both. Even the man himself has become muddled.

“My real name is Shreeve, but over the years I've had so many people getting it wrong that in the end I thought, 'why not – it's Shreeves," he explained.

Understand? Neither do we.

Rex Features