England clearly don't want to let this huge moment pass them by. They've taken the game firmly by the scruff of the neck in these opening stages.

Gascoigne is front and centre, demanding the ball at every opportunity. It is he again who tests the German defence, pulling out a little shimmy of the hips before firing an effort that is blocked by Kohler.

Image source, Getty Images

Could be that Bobby Robson feels the extra pace Wright has in his locker is better suited to keeping track of the quick, wily Klinsmann. Wright has really grown as a player this tournament. He was magnificent in the 0-0 group-stage draw with Netherlands, helping keep Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten - the pair that destroyed England at Euro '88 - quiet.

We know Des Walker is quick enough not to have to worry about keeping up with Voller. That leaves Butcher, the old warrior, to mop up where needed and throw himself in where it hurts.

John Motson
BBC commentator at the Stadio delle Alpi

There is no question now, Mark Wright is marking Jurgen Klinsmann, Des Walker is marking Rudi Voller and Terry Butcher is spare. Usually Wright has been the spare man for England.

When we watched this game back to get it ready to show to you, we found there were a number of occasions when racist chanting appeared to be directed towards Paul Parker. We have edited the sound so this unacceptable abuse is now not audible but did not want to hide that it happened so we wanted to let you know.

England keep coming. Corner after corner.

Beardsley then looks to get in past the backtracking Buchwald, but the defender comes out on top and clears.

Wonderful stuff.

And there is a bit of Gazza magic, in the very first minute. England charge out of the traps and win a corner. Beardsley's delivery is half-cleared to the edge of the box, where the midfielder is waiting to hook an effort with his left foot.

Bodo Ilgner has to tip it away at full stretch.

Almost the dream start.

And we are under way in the biggest game in English football for 24 years. Do us proud, lads.

Magnificent!

Now that, Michael, is true love.

The West German national anthem is booed by the England fans - sadly inevitable, certainly embarrassing. Gazza tries to lighten the mood by sticking the tip of his tongue out as the camera pans by.

In retaliation, God Save the Queen gets a bit of an aural kicking from the huge numbers of West Germany supporters in the stadium.

I'm just going to block all the nonsense out and focus on that England kit. Magnificent.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The players are heading out on to the pitch, one or two looking battered and bruised (Mark Wright is sporting what looks like a pretty hastily improvised eyebrow bandage), some determined (Stuart Pearce, naturally) and Gazza is, well, just being Gazza. Peter Beardsley is close enough to get a kiss on the cheek from the midfield wizard.

If he has as much fun out on that pitch tonight England have a real chance.

John Motson
BBC commentator at the Stadio delle Alpi

The England supporters inside the stadium number only four thousand, which may not sound very much but in fact the FA were given only two or three thousand and had to fight for that allocation. The English fans are vastly outnumbered by some 40,000 West Germans who have travelled the short distance from the team's previous base in Milan.

Neil Quigley: Great to see Des Lynam on screen again, such a pro, met him once and a true gent too.

A genuine legend. Des, I mean. Although I'm sure Neil is an absolutely top bloke too.

Jimmy Hill
BBC Sport pundit

Bobby Robson is picking a player out of form in Peter Beardsley. Against Cameroon he ran around well but was nothing like the Beardsley I've admired watching Liverpool this season. He's been my favourite player but he is not in form at this World Cup and when Trevor Steven came on he was like a Rolls Royce.

Gary Lineker's confidence has increased and he is a hot player. David Platt is another player brimming with confidence - his goal against Belgium could be the best of this World Cup. Platt has arrived as an international player for some years to come.

Image source, BBC Sport

Here are the teams...

W. Germany: Illgner; Berthold, Buchwald, Augenthaler, Kohler, Brehme; Hassler, Matthaus, Thon; Voller, Klinsmann. Subs: Reuter, Aumann, Riedle, Steiner, Moller.

England: Shilton; Parker, Wright, Walker, Butcher, Pearce: Waddle, Platt, Gascoigne; Lineker, Beardsley. Subs: Woods, Dorigo, McMahon, Steven, Bull.

Referee: Jose Roberto Wright (Brazil).

England make on change from the Cameroon game. In comes Peter Beardsley to partner Gary Lineker in attack. He replaces Liverpool team-mate Barnes.

You'll remember that Beardsley scored 15 times for the Reds last season. Right?

Four of the England players are just one booking away from heartbreakingly missing the final, should they get there. They are Paul Gascoigne, Steve McMahon, Peter Beardsley and Stuart Pearce. Nothing rash, lads.

Three changes for West Germany as Thomas Hassler and Olaf Thon come into midfield, while the returning Rudi Voller starts up front with Jurgen Klinsmann.

Image source, Getty Images

England are definitely without two key players for tonight's game - injured Liverpool forward John Barnes and Manchester United midfielder Bryan Robson.

Robson, the usual skipper, will play no further part in the tournament having suffered his injury in the second group game against the Netherlands, and has already flown home, straight to our studio it would seem.

Bristol Saint: I was in a gap year working as a sailing instructor in Poole Harbour during Italia 90 and I watched the semi final in the 'Beachcomber' shack - shanty town level accommodation on the beach - which was home to numerous employees. I cried.

Oh we all did, Saint, we all did.

Bryan Robson
Injured England captain on World Cup Grandstand

The pain of missing out is more than the injury itself.

The boss is looking forward to the game, I've spoken to him on the phone. We've had two games that have gone to extra time and the Germans haven't - that's an advantage for them. But if we start bright and get attached to people then I'm sure we can win.

Ilyas Najib: I can’t wait for the game to start, the 3 Lions vs the well oiled machine West Germany. I think it’ll be a close game, could go right down to the wire.