What a huge moment this could be!

What is Thomas Berthold thinking?

The Germany defender strides forward and looks to get on the end of a one-two with Jurgen Klinsmann, but instead he clatters into Kevin Ratcliffe.

Then, with the Wales captain on the floor, Berthold inexplicably kicks him - right in front of referee Bo Karlsson, who shows the red card.

Ratcliffe is left writhing on the floor and Berthold walks off the field. No complaints.

It remains one of the world’s great mysteries how Mark Hughes escapes this match without receiving at least a yellow card.

Our theory? He’s simply so, so good at the dark arts of football, at committing clever little fouls and manipulating the space around him, he gets away with it more often than not.

That’s not a dig either. Hughes is a fantastic player and this game is really showcasing it, his speed of thought, his deftness of touch.

It is worth remembering ‘Sparky’ isn’t even playing in his preferred role. He is grafting to make space and chances for Messrs Rush and Saunders.

A truly world class performer, as he showed two weeks earlier in the Cup Winners' Cup final, when he scored twice against Barcelona.

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How has Mark Hughes not been booked yet?

More magnificent roughhousing from the Manchester United player, who this time takes out Thomas Berthold on the right flank.

Still no yellow card, though.

Thanks to a pass yet to come and a penalty in 1994 (sob), David Phillips is not even the most recognised of Wales’ two wing-backs in this contest, but Phillips is a real unsung hero in this display by Wales.

Relentless energy and always a willing runner down the right side, Phillips is providing a blueprint on how to play as a versatile right-sided player, especially as he is normally a midfielder for club side Norwich City.

Did you know that Phillips might have been turning out for today’s opponents? As well as being eligible for England, Phillips was also born in Germany and raised in Germany as his father worked for the Royal Air Force.

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Germany are enjoying another long and controlled spell of possession, trying to take the sting out of what has been quite a feisty affair at times.

Wales don't seem to mind too much, though. They appear to be far more confident than they were early in the first half.

Will be disappointed if this hasn't been done by the end of the game frankly

Youngster Gary Speed, tipped for a bright future and a big season with Leeds United, is really making some people sit up and take notice ahead of the new season.

His club side Leeds United are expected to have a good season, whisper it carefully but some are even describing Howard Wilkinson’s young team as potential First Division champions.

With Peter Nicholas coming towards the twilight of his career, Speed’s international future could come sooner rather than later, especially as Nicholas has been booked and will miss the return match in Germany.

The youngster can do no more to impress; he scored twice last week for Wales under-21s against Poland.

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Leighton James
Former Wales winger

That final ball into the area is letting Wales down. They're not getting enough width.

Mark Hughes is at the heart of everything for Wales again in this second half.

Moments after clattering into Rudi Voller from behind - somehow avoiding a caution - the Manchester United man is setting a Welsh attack in motion.

The move breaks down, though, as Dean Saunders' cross is blocked.

Did anyone order another mullet?

Thomas Doll is straight into the action, beating Paul Bodin and whipping in a dangerous cross, which Kevin Ratcliffe clears.

Wales then counter-attack, with Bodin's cross deflected for a corner.

However, Wales rather waste the set-piece, with Peter Nicholas taking it short and then failing to get his cross past the nearest German defender.

The second half is under way and, during the interval, Germany have been forced into a significant substitution.

Captain Lothar Matthaus has been forced off because of the thigh injury he sustained during the first half.

On in his place comes Thomas Doll, with Rudi Voller taking the skipper's armband.

You don’t see many goalkeepers making two-footed tackles by the corner flag in modern football, do you?

Neville Southall LOVED a tackle, inside or outside of the area.

Here he is doing it on the way to winning an FA Cup final.

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We're into added time in the first half and it's a good chance for Germany's Andreas Brehme, but his low shot is held by Neville Southall.

And that's the half-time whistle.

The roars from the home crowd tell you how well Wales have played to contain this formidable German side.

Southall has had to make a couple of saves but Wales have come closest to an opening goal, with Barry Horne's 30-yard shot skimming the top of the bar.

An entertaining first half, and this game is finely poised for the second.

The tempo is slowing a little now, Wales happy to pass their way out of defence as their confidence grows.

There's even a Mexican wave in the crowd but the home fans are still in good voice.

Wales' very own Benjamin Button

The cries of 'Hymns and Arias' will tell you how much Wales' fans are enjoying this, particularly after that effort from Horne.

The home crowd enjoy a miss from Germany's Rudi Voller too, as the striker beats two Welsh defenders before pulling a tame effort well wide.

That Welsh belief is showing and they're inches away from taking the lead.

Barry Horne tries his luck from long range and the ball is deflected wide for a corner, which Germany clear.

Horne then gets the ball again from even further out - all of 30 yards - and he lets fly, with the ball clipping the top of the crossbar with German keeper Bodo Illgner beaten.

That's a great effort, and Wales sense they have a chance here.