WORLD CUP - THE MIRACLE ON GRASS

England are going into today's game with USA as the favourites, but they were even more so in 1950 when they met the USA in Brazil and the American team shocked the world by beating England by a single goal. This match formed the basis for the film, The Miracle Match and also a book - The Game of Their Lives by Geoffrey Douglas. There is rare footage of the game on You Tube with Brazilian commentary. HERE

The 1950 game was remarkable - England were one of the strongest teams in the world and they had Stanley Mathews, widely regarded at the time as the world's foremost player. The US on the other hand had mostly semi-professional players who had second jobs to support their families.

Bert Williams, England goalkeeper - "We had some of the best players in the world in that side and if you assess the match we had 90% of the play but no one had any experience of playing against a team that almost retreated to their goal line. You couldn't see the goal."

That was then and this is now - today the US are a very strong team - England manager, Fabio Capello called the US side strong both technically and physically.

USA v England World Cup matches are rare. Their Group game this summer will be their first competitive match for 60 years.

1950 - England 0 USA 1

England faced the States in their second Group match at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. Having already defeated Chile 2-0, England were confident of beating the unfancied Americans with ease. After all, England boasted some of the best players on the planet, including Stan Mortensen, Tom Finney and Wilf Mannion. However, despite intense English pressure, a first half goal set up by America's inspirational captain Walter Bahr and finished by Joseph Gaetjens was enough to win the match. The result still haunts English football to this day. The USA finished bottom of the group, but the reputation of that team was enshrined forever.

1953 - USA 3 England 6

England took a measure of revenge three years later when they scored six at Yankee Stadium in front of around 7000 fans. Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse bagged a pair each while Rolf Decker grabbed a couple for the States.

1959 - USA 1 England 8

The Wrigley Stadium in LA was the venue as England drilled eight past the hapless Americans in an effort to bury their 1950 humiliation. 21-year-old Bobby Charlton, arguably England's best player ever, scored a hat-trick after Ed Murphy had given the USA an eerily familiar early lead.

1964 - USA 0 England 10

Apparently still angry, England hit double figures at the Downing Stadium in NYC. Roger Hunt, who went on to star in England's 1966 World Cup winning side, scored four.

1985 - USA 0 England 5

One year before claiming the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Gary Lineker scored two in this one-sided LA friendly.

1993 - USA 2 England 0

Even though this was 'only' a friendly in Boston, everyone expected England to win comfortably. It was not to be. This was not the nadir of Graham Taylor's time as England manager, but it wasn't far off. With a team that included John Barnes, Gary Pallister, Paul Ince and Carlton Palmer, England were embarrassed by a spirited USA performance. Thomas Dooley scored in the first half, before Alexi Lalas, a player notable for his fiery hair and beard, headed a second late on. The newspapers in England were predictably apopleptic.

1994 - England 2 USA 0

This was the USA's first game at Wembley and the strength of the nation was quickly improving. Their side included Brad Friedel, Claudio Reyna and Cobi Jones, but two goals from Alan Shearer ensured victory for Terry Venables' team.

2005 - USA 1 England 2

England fielded a slightly experimental line-up for this game in Chicago. Kieran Richardson, now at Sunderland and some way out of the England picture, scored twice - one a spectacular free kick. Clint Dempsey replied for the States who perhaps deserved a draw.

2008 - England 2 USA 0

This final game between the sides to date was at Wembley. It wasn't a classic by any means, although David Beckham was awarded a golden cap before the game as he passed 100 games for his country. It was Beckham who set up John Terry for the first goal, while Steven Gerrard buried the second after the break.