Oh wow! Take a bow Chris Waddle! He's just planted an effort from over 40 yards out against the crossbar. Illgner was beaten.

It wouldn't have counted had it gone in because the ref had whistled a few moments earlier for a foul by Platt, but even so the gall to even try such a thing needs to be applauded.

Are we sure this is England we're watching?

Trevor Brooking
Former England midfielder at Stadio delle Alpi

Rudi Voller has just pulled up on the far side, he was sprinting down the line past his marker Des Walker and went down after kicking the ball out of play. If it's a kick he will be OK after a bit of treatment but if it's a pull he may be in trouble.

Bristol Saint: As well as the long forgotten back pass its was also strange to hear Motson joke about the Germans trying to 'spin on a deutsche mark'...

Postpublished at 32 mins

32 mins

West Germany 0-0 England

This could be a big moment in the match. West Germany striker Rudi Voller has just pulled up and does not look happy. He kicks the ball out of play and immediately signals for the physio. His evening could be over.

We're now into 'England need to take one of these chances' territory. They've been dominant but so far have nothing to show for it other than parity with this stubborn West German side.

To further hammer home the point, Platt fails to make the most of one good break before then nodding on a Beardsley cross that drops just ahead of the waiting Lineker.

Keith Chapman: I remember watching this game! I had so much confidence at the start and well you can guess how I felt by the end!

John Ballard: With all the good play and chances created, England should have been about 3-0 up at half time.

Michael Howe-Davies: Forgot how good David Platt was.

Absolutely Michael. For me he's a big reason for the continued popularity of Coronation Street. Oh, you mean the David Platt playing in this game...

Gazza again. Chris Waddle delivers a free-kick that is headed clear but drops to Gascoigne, who chests the ball down and then hammers the ball towards goal from outside the area. Illgner is right behind it, though, and saves. To be fair, it was right down his throat and world-class keepers don't spill dollies like those.

Can we just take a moment to admire the guts Bobby Robson showed to pick a midfield three of Gazza, Platt and Waddle. Who needs a water carrier?

Image source, Getty Images

By the way, some of you of a certain age may have noted that the goalkeepers are picking the ball up when it is passed back to them, an act that nowadays results in a free-kick.

Back in 1990, the backless rule was still a few years away from being introduced, so this game-draining act of defenders giving possession to the keeper was a regular occurrence. Thank god the authorities saw for to do something about it, but for now you'll just have to deal with it and try. not to shout "back paaaaaaaaass!"

Trevor Brooking
Former England midfielder at Stadio delle Alpi

England have had their hiccups in matches before today but this is undoubtedly the best start they have made - and that is against West Germany, who have looked invincible so far in this tournament.

England have coped well with what little pressure Germany have had and only Thomas Hassler looks really settled.

Summariser Trevor Brooking, who's glowing, tanned skin and broad pre-game smile were those of a man who had clearly enjoyed his work in Italy, declares that this is "easily England's best start of the tournament". He's not wrong.

To underline this point, even right-back Paul Parker is getting in on the attacking action, heading Lineker's cross wide. That would have been a story. Parker is not a man who scores freely.

chickenflan: "You'll never beat Des Walker" we were all singing there. We are the better side here but the Germans have started knocking it about now.

Matt Bunnell: Bobby Robson's hairdresser flew in from Ipswich just to cut the England manager's hair? I am sure in 30 years time, there will be no such excesses in English football.

Halton News: I was there in the stadio delle Alpi on that July night. Sat behind the goal when Gascoigne nearly scored in the first minute!

And now David Platt starts pulling some strings for England. His pass releases the onrushing Pearce, whose first-time cross into the box is cut out by the sliding Kohler. West Germany are scrambling, England are motoring.

Just a third England start this for Platt. With his goal against Belgium and now this game, he has already fitted more in to his international career than many players in 10 times the number of caps.

Does anything faze Gazza? He's playing on the biggest stage of his career and he is Cruyff-turning like it is a five-a-side kickabout in the park. Klinsmann gets momentarily close to the England man but then comes the cheeky turn and the two are separated again. The England fans enjoyed that.

Image source, Getty Images

The one-way traffic was only going to last so long. West Germany's first attack is a good one as Thomas Hassler works a bit of space for himself by fooling Butcher before hitting an effort with his left foot that strikes Pearce and goes behind.

Fortunately for England, West Germany can't fashion anything from the corner as the ball is nodded clear.

Adam Redland: I was on “one last family holiday” with my parents, a Caribbean cruise no less. My brother and I went back to our cabin to watch game on a grainy 12” tv. Mum couldn’t understand why we didn’t want to spend the day on the cruise’s private island! #bbcfootball, external

Michael Keating: Surprised at how well we started. Don't really remember much about the first half.

Andrew Boorman: Got to love a back pass!

A private Caribbean island or England in a World Cup semi-final? No contest!

Just a hint of something for the team in green as Klinsmann's cross is booted away. This only leads to another England attack, though, with Beardsley away down the right. Lineker is the only man he has in support and the Liverpool player is unable to find him, putting his cross out of play.

Olaf Thon has definitely brought his moustache A-game.

We're yet to see anything of West Germany as an attacking threat. If there were any concerns that England might freeze in their big moment, these are surely being allayed here by this start.

Jeff: Watching a bit of Italia 90 on #bbcfootball, external. The first World Cup I can really remember, wish I still had those coins from the Esso garage.