Left: Des Lynam was the BBC's popular presenter of Grandstand and Match of the Day, combining a sharp wit with a completely unruffled presentation style that was ideal for live television.

English football was in a sorry state at the beginning of the 1985-86 season. Hooliganism and disasters had driven people away from the game in their droves and the television companies had found other sports, such as snooker, that were attracting bigger audiences. With the Football League turning down the BBC and ITV's combined offer of £16 million to broadcast their games, the screens were left devoid of domestic action until January 1986.

International football was unaffected, however, and the closing stages of England's qualification for the World Cup were shown, though only as highlights, with none of the dramas of the previous two campaigns. The new year brought a new optimism. Four of England's warm-up games were broadcast live, though there was no appetite to show their final game, in Canada, at 8 o'clock on a Saturday night.

As in 1982, there were three home nations present at the World Cup (Northern Ireland and Scotland again also qualifying), and both BBC and ITV sought to provide full coverage. When the tournament had last been held in Mexico, in 1970, most of the action had been late at night, apart from at the weekends, but this time, with 24 teams present, games were played at peak viewing time (in Europe) every day for the first two weeks. Mindful of the inevitable protests that the coverage would attract in that it would be perceived to be hogging the airwaves, some concessions were made to the viewers that didn't want to watch football every night. There was, at least, a Channel 4 now to offer another alternative and, just as four years earlier, the BBC and ITV ensured that they would not be showing games at the same time (at least, to begin with).

In the first midweek, BBC1 still showed the Wogan chat show at 7pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so the games shown live (also kicking off at 7pm BST) were reduced to second-half coverage only. Late night games were still shown in their entirety from 11pm. For the second midweek, ITV had the first three evening games and reduced them all to second-half coverage only, prioritising two other programmes on each occasion. Soap opera fans were not to be denied their regular fixes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale Farm, or any disruption to their scheduling. Cleverly, thanks to careful arrangement between the two networks, the games involving the home nations were not impacted by these concessions and all three of England's games were late at night.

The early broadcasts were hit by numerous technical problems and, on two occasions, ITV had to bring in emergency substitute commentators during big games when the audio transmission failed, just as they had on England's previous trip to Mexico, a year earlier. Fortunately, the England games went out without a hitch, technically speaking. It was on the field where they misfired, until the third game, against Poland, when Gary Lineker's goals suddenly transformed them into a team seemingly capable of winning the tournament. Commentator, Barry Davies, for the BBC, was clearly frustrated by their mistakes, but the joy and relief when they scored their first goal of the tournament was self-evident:

• "Oh, what an important foot in by Terry Butcher, but England just cannot afford to make crass errors like that!" (Terry Fenwick had given away possession in the middle of the field with a casual ball and Poland had broken quickly to put England under pressure).

• "Nice little header [by Lineker], quickly seized upon by Beardsley. Lineker checking back when he might have gone straight on. Trevor Steven is unmarked. Gary Stevens coming up on the right. Four in the area. Lineker! [Jimmy Hill can be heard in the background, shouting "Ha-ha-ha-ho!"] The Everton combination gives England a priceless goal in the ninth minute, and what a relief of tension, and a well-made goal, too."

Sensibly, the BBC and ITV had divided up England's group games between them, as they had in 1980 and 1982. At the previous World Cup, it was only if they had reached the semi-finals that they would have duplicated coverage, but for this tournament, knockout games were introduced for the last 16. The BBC had already shown two of England's three games and ITV assumed that they would have exclusive coverage of the second-round game with Paraguay. When complaints were received that both channels had broadcast the same game at 7:00pm, the Independent Broadcasting Authority stated that it was "against the public interest and contrary to the spirit of the understanding between the UK broadcasters which the BBC had previously accepted". They went on to reveal that the BBC had also declined an invitation to toss a coin to decide who would show the quarter-final live on the following Sunday evening, but by this time, anticipation was heightened, not only by England's exciting progress, but also by the fact that they were to face Argentina, just four years after the Falklands War between the two countries. The BBC also knew that they were virtually guaranteed to gain more viewers, as had always been the case when they broadcast the same game as ITV. England's tournament was to end at this stage, so the situation didn't arise again in this tournament (they had already agreed that they would both show the final live, as per usual) but it would not be the last time that the two sides would clash.

The spat did, at least, illustrate the desire by both the BBC and ITV to provide the best coverage of England games. John Motson was to commentate on his second World Cup Final and was still the man at the microphone for each year's prestigious FA Cup Final. However, unlike the 1982 tournament, the England games were split between Motson and Barry Davies, the Poland game being Davies's first live England game at a major tournament. As luck would have it, he would also be the voice mostly associated with Diego Maradona's winning goal in the never-to-be-forgotten quarter-final, though it took him longer to realise that Maradona had handled the first than Martin Tyler and David Pleat on ITV. Back in London, Des Lynam made an effortless progression from Grandstand to World Cup Grandstand to, more than adequately, fill the shoes of David Coleman, who was now dedicated to athletics coverage.

Meanwhile, Brian Moore took the chair for his fifth World Cup in the ITV studio, following a year without any England commentaries, leaving Tyler to lead the commentary team in Mexico for his second World Cup. This time, however, Moore jetted out to do the final for the first time, with the double-act of Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves (Saint and Greavsie) entertaining the viewers back home.

As the new season began, televised football in England was about to experience seismic changes which would eventually lead to the end of the Football League's domination of the professional game. The regular Saturday night Match of the Day programme of highlights on the BBC was now rarely in the schedules with both companies now focusing on live league games on Sunday afternoons. Conversely, England games were only shown as highlights, apart from the last three games towards the end of the season, with no overseas tour to broadcast. Ominously, satellite television companies were beginning to target the UK's viewing public. The Screensport Super Cup had only lasted for a season, but the channel would show Football League highlights in the 1987-88 season in the programme made for overseas viewers. That season was to be the last in the era of shared coverage.

England qualified for the 1988 European Championship in style, with ITV broadcasting a stunning 4-1 victory against Yugoslavia, live from Belgrade. Only the sell-out Wembley games were shown live, and there were few of those. Away fixtures were seen live, usually only when they were in the afternoon which many European nations still preferred in midweek. John Motson took most of the BBC games and Brian Moore was found more in the commentary box, with Nick Owen presenting Midweek Sport Special, and Martin Tyler beginning to look elsewhere to supplement his declining appearances, due to Moore's resurgence.

In the finals in West Germany, there were no TV schedule clashes as England suffered a nightmare tournament and lost all three of their games. They even suffered the embarrassment of the BBC choosing to show the Republic of Ireland's group decider with the Netherlands live rather than the already-eliminated England's final game, against the USSR. For the first time since 1962, an England game at a major tournament was only available as highlights, a situation that seems inconceivable these days.

After this tournament, ITV would be unable to show any England games, in any form, for two years. For, whilst they had secured for themselves an exclusive deal to show Football League matches for the next four seasons, the BBC had responded by agreeing its own five-year contract with the FA for exclusive terrestrial coverage of the FA Cup and England internationals. They had, however, partnered with British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) who, once they were on-air, would be able to show live internationals exclusively on The Sports Channel. The BBC would only have the option of showing a deciding qualifier live at the same time, as well as highlights of every England game. Major tournaments were still to be shared by the BBC and ITV which were a separate agreement.

At first, there was little change to the England coverage, except that it was all on the BBC. With many fans calling for manager, Bobby Robson to be replaced after the summer's debacle, only highlights were shown of the less-than-full Wembley games and all four away fixtures during the 1988-89 season were shown live, though all were afternoon games. The last game of the season, a 7pm kick-off in Denmark in June, was only seen as highlights. More games meant more commentaries for Barry Davies, and his appearances were, once more, alternated with those of John Motson, though both had a reduced workload, with only FA Cup games to cover domestically. One other difference was that Trevor Brooking was installed as co-commentator for almost every game, but certainly for every World Cup qualifier and every live game. Jimmy Hill had been fulfilling this role ever since he had joined the BBC in 1973-74 but, having just turned sixty years old, he was now appearing more as a studio analyst, with Des Lynam taking over Match of the Day presenting duties for the FA Cup coverage, as well as the international broadcasts.

Robson spent one last season as England manager, before moving on, but it was a season in which they exceeded all expectations and restored a lot of faith in English football. To begin with, they qualified for the World Cup without conceding a goal, though the campaign was not without its scares. The last two qualifiers, in Sweden and Poland were broadcast live, both goalless, but with enough tension and drama to entertain and frustrate. There were two Wembley friendlies to end the year, and the second of these, against Yugoslavia in December, was not only England's last international of the eighties, but it was their last game at home not to be televised live in the UK.

This advert appeared in the match programme for the game between England and Brazil, so Wembley was, effectively, telling its readers not to come to any more England internationals, because they could watch them from home, instead!

BSB launched in March 1990 and took up their rights to show live coverage of England games, a mouth-watering clash with Brazil in World Cup year being the first. The commentator was Martin Tyler, who had finally left ITV with no signs of Brian Moore relinquishing his position. He was accompanied by Andy Gray, the former Scottish international footballer and the pair quickly built a good working relationship, with Gray being encouraged to be quite vocal with his obvious infectious enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. By comparison, Trevor Brooking was more refined and considered with his analysis, leaving the main commentator to describe all of the details.

Though it was set up as a satellite channel, the first two England games that it broadcast were only actually available on cable television networks and less than a million subscribers would view their output in the first year. Sky, meanwhile, had broadcast some club football in the often-forgotten Zenith Data Systems Cup, plus Italy's Serie A. Eurosport, on the same network, had also taken advantage of a growing interest in foreign leagues, due in part to the continuing ban on English clubs from European competitions. It was becoming a smaller world and Eurosport managed to obtain the rights to show every game in the 1990 World Cup, and they were the only channel to show every minute of every game. Peter Brackley was their main commentator, with Lawrie McMenemy, soon to become England's assistant manager, alongside him for the England games.

The tournament, held in Italy, was to be the biggest yet, in terms of media coverage. The BBC produced a master stroke by selecting the great Italian opera singer, Luciano Pavarotti's rendition of 'Nessun Dorma' as its theme tune. It proved so popular that it was released as a single and reached number two in the UK chart. ITV rejoined the party and had exclusive coverage of England's opening game, against the Republic of Ireland, with Elton Welsby presenting from inside the stadium in an attempt to bring the audience closer to the atmosphere. Even though England went all the way to the semi-finals, it would be the only one of their games that ITV would show exclusively live.

It wasn't a great tournament in terms of open attacking football, but it was a high point for Cameroon, the Republic of Ireland, West Germany and England. Just as four years earlier had seen England's hopes grow as the tournament progressed, the public really began to root for the likes of new hero, Paul Gascoigne, and supreme goalscorer, Gary Lineker. There were no second-half-only evening games broadcast this time and only two occasions where peak-time first-round games were reduced to highlights only by the BBC, instead of broadcasting them live, though five live games were shown on BBC2, two of them evening games. As a public service broadcaster, the BBC, once again, felt that it had to show all of England's games once they had progressed to the knockout stages. Not only that, but the intense support for the Irish team with well-known Football League players and an English manager (Jack Charlton) also led them to show the same game simultaneously as ITV on all six of the last nine evenings of the tournament when games were played. This meant that between 7:30 and 9:00 on both the Saturday and Sunday night of consecutive weekends, there were only the two least-popular channels (BBC2 and Channel 4) available for terrestrial viewers to watch (though some will have had access to satellite channels, and video cassette recorders were also in popular usage for playback or rental options).

Understandably, this didn't go unnoticed. The Times accused the BBC of chasing ratings as if it were a commercial enterprise and, in doing so, creating a "public disservice" in denying its viewers attractive alternative programmes. The managing director for network television at the BBC, Paul Fox's response was to cite the investment of licence-payers' money in England's qualifying campaign and the dedication to providing the best service. He insisted that they had not reneged on any "gentleman's agreement", because they had always said that they "would judge each round on its merit", and that it was "both elitist and unfair" to pretend that the needs of football fans are less important than those of "arts, drama, comedy or current affairs".

This prompted another open-lettered response from the director of programmes at Thames Television, David Elstein, who outlined how keen ITV had been to attempt to avoid duplicating coverage with its proposals, all rejected by the BBC, and questioned why, if they were so committed to their investment, they had allowed ITV to screen England's opening match exclusively, consigned live games to their "minority channel" and not shown all of the games that they were entitled to. Clearly, the two sides were a long way from agreement, though this situation would never again be such an issue, partly due to the massive expansion in alternative viewing options over the coming years, but also more common sense being applied. There were still occasional duplications, but these were clearly agreed in advance.

All of this, of course, would not have occurred were it not for the fact that the English public had suddenly fallen back in love with the game. Every match involving England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland was a tense drama in which the outcome was impossible to predict. England fought their way to the semi-finals, and each struggle along the way brought more support. A total of 25.2 million viewers watched the semi-final. As predicted, twice as many saw it on BBC1 as on ITV. It was the largest audience for a televised football match for twenty years.

The new decade had begun with huge optimism and the game was in a much healthier state than five years earlier. Success attracted new investors, however, and the two major terrestrial channels would soon have to fight for a much smaller slice of the cake.

 

"England have done it, in the last minute of extra time!"
John Motson (Belgium v. England 1990 World Cup)
[this section of commentary was used in the 1996 smash-hit 'Three Lions'
single by David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and the Lightning Seeds]

For more details on TV football in this era, the ITV Football 1966-98 website is well worth a visit.

Season 1990-91
605	Wednesday, 11 September 1985 - England 1 Romania 1 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 7.45pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	World Cup Special (BBC1) - 11:00pm - 12:10am (recorded highlights) commentator Barry Davies
Notes		Viewers in Northern Ireland saw featured highlights from their game against Turkey in Izmir, but both games were from the same World Cup qualifying group and all viewers would have seen action from both. They may also have seen the goals from the previous night's dramatic qualifier between Wales and Scotland which ended with the tragic death of Scotland manager, Jock Stein from a heart attack. The programme ended with a preview of the weekend's staging of the Bell's Scotch Ryder Cup at The Belfry which was to see Europe's golfers defeat the United States for the first time.
606	Wednesday, 16 October 1985 - England 5 Turkey 0 [4-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 7.45pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:30pm - 12:15am Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire Midweek Scotsport (ITV) - 10:35pm - 11:45pm Grampian and Scottish commentator Martin Tyler (recorded highlights)
Notes		Live coverage from Bucharest of Northern Ireland's game with Romania was broadcast in the afternoon on BBC1 Northern Ireland, who also provided highlights in Sportsnight. S4C featured live coverage of the second half of Wales' game with Hungary, and Midweek Scotsport had extended highlights from Scotland's game with East Germany. All four home nations were featured in Midweek Sport Special, along with the Republic of Ireland's trip to Moscow to face the USSR. Also scheduled was indoor bowling, with action from the Liverpool Victoria Insurance Superbowl at Granada Television Centre in Manchester.
607	Wednesday, 13 November 1985 - England 0 Northern Ireland 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 7:00pm GMT HIGHLIGHTS ONLY (live in Northern Ireland)	World Cup Soccer Special (BBC1 Northern Ireland) - 7:00pm - 9:00pm commentator Mike Nesbitt Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:25pm - 11:20pm (BBC Northern Ireland opted out) commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
608	Wednesday, 29 January 1986 - Egypt 0 England 4 [0-2] Nasser Stadium, Cairo - Kick-off 2.00pm (1.00pm GMT) HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:30pm - 12:15am Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire (Grampian and Scottish opted out) commentator Martin Tyler (recorded highlights)
Notes		The first match shown on Midweek Sport Special was the Milk Cup fifth round replay between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers, and the programme also included highlights from the European Figure Skating Championships in Copenhagen.
609	Wednesday, 26 February 1986 - Israel 1 England 2 [1-0] The National Stadium, Tel Aviv - Kick-off 4.45pm (2.45pm GMT)	International Football (BBC1) - 2:35pm - 4:40pm commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking (BBC Scotland opted out) Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:00pm - 11:20pm (recorded highlights) (BBC Scotland opted out)
Notes		Sportsnight also featured highlights from the FA Cup fifth round tie between Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday, and from Northern Ireland's friendly with France in Paris. There was also an interview with Terry Lawless, manager of British heavyweight boxing contender, Frank Bruno.
610	Wednesday, 26 March 1986 - USSR 0 England 1 [0-0] Dinamo Stadion, Tbilisi - Kick-off 8.00pm (4.00pm GMT)	International Football Special (ITV) - 3:55pm - 5:55pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire (Grampian and Scottish opted out) commentators Martin Tyler and David Pleat Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:35pm - 11:45pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire Midweek Scotsport (ITV) - 10:35pm - 11:45pm Grampian and Scottish (recorded highlights)
Notes		Midweek Sport Special also featured action from Scotland's game with Romania, the highlights of which were featured on Midweek Scotsport, Northern Ireland's game with Denmark, which also appeared on Sportsnight on BBC1 Northern Ireland, and Wales' victory against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. The programme ended with boxing scenes from Las Vegas where Jamaica's Trevor Berbick secured the WBC heavyweight title by defeating the defending champion, Pinklon Thomas of the United States.
611	Wednesday, 23 April 1986 - England 2 Scotland 1 [2-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 7.45pm BST	International Football Special (ITV) - 7:30pm - 10:00pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees and Yorkshire (Ulster opted out) commentators Martin Tyler and David Pleat Scotsport Special - 7:30pm - 10:00pm Grampian and Scottish commentators Jock Brown and Lou Macari Football Highlights (Ulster) - 10:30pm - 11:30pm (recorded highlights)
Notes		Sportsnight on BBC1 featured highlights from Northern Ireland's game with Morocco, with an extended version in Sportsnight from Northern Ireland. The goals from the Republic of Ireland's game with Uruguay may also have been shown at some point during the evening.
612	Saturday, 17 May 1986 - Mexico 0 England 3 [0-3] LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles - Kick-off 3.00pm (11.00pm BST)	International Football Special (ITV) - 11:00pm - 1:00am Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, London Weekend, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire (Grampian and Scottish opted out) commentator Martin Tyler
613	Saturday, 24 May 1986 - Canada 0 England 1 [0-0] Swangard Stadium, Burnaby - Kick-off 12.00pm (8.00pm BST)	Sunday Grandstand (BBC2) - 1:55pm - 6:40pm - Sunday, 25th May commentator Barry Davies (recorded highlights)
Notes		Highlights of the game were shown towards the end of the programme, following the conclusion of the Whyte and Mackay PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club.
Other England Internationals		Saturday, 31st May 1986 - Schoolboys Wembley Stadium, London England 2 Italy 1 - Schoolboys' International Football (ITV) 2:45pm - 5:00pm (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and Ian St John
World Cup Finals 1986		Mexico
614	Tuesday, 3 June 1986 - Portugal 1 England 0 [0-0] Estadio Tecnológico, Monterrey - Kick-off 4.00pm (11.00pm BST)	World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 10:50pm - 12:55am commentators John Motson and Jimmy Hill Saint and Greavsie's World Cup (ITV) 5:15pm - 5:45pm - Wednesday, 4th June (all regions) commentator Martin Tyler (recorded highlights) World Cup Report (BBC1) - 5:30pm - 6:00pm - Wednesday, 4th June World Cup Report (BBC1 Northern Ireland) - 6:35pm - 7:00pm Wednesday, 4th June World Cup Report (BBC1 Wales) - 6:35pm - 7:00pm Wednesday, 4th June (recorded highlights)
Notes		World Cup Grandstand included brief highlights from the two games played earlier in the evening. ITV had provided live coverage of Northern Ireland's opening game, with Algeria, whilst the hosts opened their account against Belgium.
615	Friday, 6 June 1986 - England 0 Morocco 0 [0-0] Estadio Tecnológico, Monterrey - Kick-off 4.00pm (11.00pm BST)	World Cup 86 (ITV) - 10:30pm - 1:00am (all regions) commentators Martin Tyler and David Pleat Grandstand (BBC1) - 4:45pm - 5:05pm - Saturday, 7th June commentator Barry Davies (recorded highlights)
Notes		World Cup 86 included highlights from the earlier games. BBC1 had shown the second half of Brazil's meeting with Algeria live, whilst Canada were playing Hungary.
616	Wednesday, 11 June 1986 - England 3 Poland 0 [3-0] Estadio Universitário de Nuevo León, Monterrey - Kick-off 4.00pm (11.00pm BST)	World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 10:25pm - 12:55am commentators Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill Saint and Greavsie's World Cup (ITV) 5:15pm - 5:45pm - Wednesday, 12th June (all regions) commentator Martin Tyler (recorded highlights) World Cup Report (BBC1) - 5:35pm - 6:00pm - Wednesday, 12th June World Cup Report (BBC1 Northern Ireland) - 6:30pm - 6:55pm Wednesday, 12th June World Cup Report (BBC1 Wales) - 6:30pm - 6:55pm Wednesday, 12th June (recorded highlights)
Notes		World Cup Grandstand included highlights from the two games played earlier in the evening, when ITV broadcast the second half of the game between Iraq and Mexico, whilst Belgium were playing Paraguay in the conclusion to the same group. The programme also provided updates and action from the other concluding game in England's group, played at the same time as England's game, between Morocco and Portugal.
617	Wednesday, 18 June 1986 - England 3 Paraguay 0 [1-0] Estadio Azteca, ciudad de México - Kick-off 12.00pm (7.00pm BST)	World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 6:30pm - 9:00pm commentators John Motson and Jimmy Hill World Cup 86 (ITV) - 6:45pm - 9:00pm (all regions) commentators Martin Tyler and David Pleat
Notes		A later edition of World Cup Grandstand at 10:55pm provided live coverage of Denmark against Spain, the last of the second-round games.
618	Sunday, 22 June 1986 - Argentina 2 England 1 [0-0] Estadio Azteca, ciudad de México - Kick-off 12.00pm (7.00pm BST)	World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 6:45pm - 9:00pm commentators Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill - see transcripts below World Cup 86 (ITV) - 6:40pm - 9:00pm (all regions) commentators Martin Tyler and David Pleat - see transcripts below
Notes		A later edition of World Cup 86 at 10:45pm provided live coverage of Belgium against Spain, the last of the quarter-finals.

Season 1986-87
619	Wednesday, 10 September 1986 - Sweden 1 England 0 [0-0] Råsunda Fotbollstadion, Solna - Kick-off 7.00pm (6.00pm BST) HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10.00pm - 11:35pm International Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:00pm - 11:35pm commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
Notes		Highlights from Scotland's game with Bulgaria were featured in International Sportscene. Both programmes also included the goals from Wales' trip to Finland and those from the game between Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, whilst Sportsnight had brief action from a friendly between Linfield and Manchester United as Bryan Robson played his first game back after his World Cup injury. Sportsnight ended with athletics action from the IAAF Mobil Grand Prix in Rome.
620	Wednesday, 15 October 1986 - England 3 Northern Ireland 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 7.45pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10.25pm - 12:00am International Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:25pm - 12:00am commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
Notes		International Sportscene featured highlights from the European Championship qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Scotland which BBC1 Scotland had shown live in the afternoon. Sportsnight also included highlights, together with a report on Birmingham's bid to host the 1992 Olympic Games, action from the World Hockey Cup, where England were through to face West Germany at Willesden in Saturday's semi-finals, and highlights from the Australian rugby league team's tour as they beat Hull Kingston Rovers.
Other England Internationals		Tuesday, 11th November 1986 - Under-21 London Road, Peterborough England 1 Yugoslavia 1 - About Anglia 6.00pm - 6:30pm - Wednesday, 12th November (Anglia) (recorded highlights) reporter Gerry Harrison
621	Wednesday, 12 November 1986 - England 2 Yugoslavia 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 7.45pm GMT HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:30pm - 11:50pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire Midweek Scotsport - 10:30pm - 11:50pm Grampian and Scottish commentator Brian Moore (recorded highlights)
Notes		Midweek Scotsport featured Scotland's game with Luxembourg which was also on Midweek Sport Special, along with brief clips from Northern Ireland's trip to Turkey.
622	Wednesday, 18 February 1987 - Spain 2 England 4 [1-2] Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid - Kick-off 8.30pm (7.30pm GMT) HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10.10pm - 12:10am commentators John Motson and Terry Venables (recorded highlights)
Notes		Viewers in Scotland saw extended highlights of their European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, whilst in Wales, their game with the USSR was the featured match and highlights were also broadcast on S4C. The goals from Israel against Northern Ireland appeared in Sportsnight, along with an interview with the WBC welterweight boxing champion, Lloyd Honeyghan.
623	Wednesday, 1 April 1987 - Northern Ireland 0 England 2 [0-2] Windsor Park, Belfast - Kick-off 7.45pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:40pm - 12:25am Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire commentator Martin Tyler Ulster commentator Jackie Fullerton Midweek Scotsport - 10:40pm - 12:25am Grampian and Scottish (recorded highlights)
Notes		Midweek Scotsport featured highlights from Scotland's qualifier in Belgium, but also included action from the other games of home interest as per Midweek Sport Special which were Wales against Finland, and the Republic of Ireland's trip to Bulgaria. S4C also had highlights of Wales' game.
624	Wednesday, 29 April 1987 - Turkey 0 England 0 [0-0] Atatürk Stadyumu, İzmir - Kick-off 6.00pm (4.00pm BST)	International Football (BBC2) - 3:55pm - 5:50pm commentator John Motson Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:05pm - 12:10am International Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:05pm - 12:10am (recorded highlights)
Notes		The transmission of the colour red was not visible on screen for the first fifteen minutes of the game, but blue and green were, so Turkey appeared to be wearing green shirts, instead of red. At half-time, there was an update on the Embassy World Snooker from Sheffield with the 'Shot of the Championship' competition. Sportsnight included action from Northern Ireland's game with Yugoslavia, Wales against Czechoslovakia, and the Republic of Ireland entertaining Belgium. Viewers in Northern Ireland and Wales saw extended coverage of their games. S4C also featured highlights of the Welsh game, whilst Sportsnight also featured the conclusion to the snooker quarter-finals, with Steve Davis and Jimmy White progressing to the last four. Completing the programme was a filmed report from California where Britain's European 4x400 metres relay champions were in training for the world championship in Rome.
625	Tuesday, 19 May 1987 - England 1 Brazil 1 [1-1] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST	International Football Special (ITV) - 7:50pm - 10:00pm (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and Kevin Keegan
626	Saturday, 23 May 1987 - Scotland 0 England 0 [0-0] Hampden Park, Glasgow - Kick-off 3.00pm BST	Grandstand (BBC1) - 2:35pm - 4:40pm commentators Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill BBC Scotland commentator Archie Macpherson Sports Special (BBC1) 1:15am - 1:30am (approximately) - Sunday, 24th May (recorded highlights)
Other England Internationals		Saturday, 30th May 1987 - Victory Shield Wembley Stadium, London England 1 Scotland 1 - Schoolboys' International Football (ITV) 2:45pm - 4:30pm (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and Ian St John

Season 1987-88
627	Wednesday, 9 September 1987 - West Germany 3 England 1 [2-1] Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf - Kick-off 8.30pm (7.30pm BST) HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:30pm - 11:50pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire Midweek Scotsport - 10:30pm - 11:50pm Grampian and Scottish commentator Brian Moore (recorded highlights)
Notes		Grampian and Scottish featured highlights from Scotland's game with Hungary, whilst S4C had highlights from Wales' meeting with Denmark in the European Championship. The ITV programmes would have seen action from all three games, and possibly also the goals from the Republic of Ireland's game with Luxembourg. Midweek Sport Special ended with international ice-hockey and the USSR reaching the final of the Canada Cup.
628	Wednesday, 14 October 1987 - England 8 Turkey 0 [4-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:20pm - 12:00am International Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:05pm - 12:10am commentators John Motson and Terry Venables (recorded highlights)
Notes		Highlights from Scotland's qualifier with Belgium were featured in International Sportscene. Wales' trip to Denmark was covered live on both BBC2 Wales and (after 25 minutes play) S4C. In addition to those two games, Sportsnight included goal highlights from Yugoslavia where Northern Ireland were the visitors and probably the Republic of Ireland's game with Bulgaria, as well as a preview of the Suntory World Matchplay Golf Championship, beginning at Wentworth on the following day.
629	Wednesday, 11 November 1987 - Yugoslavia 1 England 4 [0-4] Stadion Crvena zvezda, Beograd - Kick-off 4.30pm (3.30pm GMT)	International Football (ITV) - 3:25pm - 5:20pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire (Grampian and Scottish opted out) commentator Brian Moore Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:30pm - 12:15pm Anglia, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees and Yorkshire Midweek Scotsport - 10:30pm - 11:50pm Border, Grampian and Scottish Ulster Sport Special (Ulster) - 10:30pm - 11:50pm (recorded highlights)
Notes		On a dramatic day of European Championship qualifiers, Scotland's victory in Bulgaria that unexpectedly sent the Republic of Ireland through to the following year's finals in West Germany, was covered live by the Grampian and Scottish regions of ITV at the same time as England were securing their own passage to the finals in spectacular style. RTÉ 2 in Ireland, understandably, also covered the Scotland game live. Starting an hour after these two games, Wales' unsuccessful attempt to join them in the finals was shown live from Czechoslovakia on S4C. Three ITV regions chose to show extended highlights of the Scotland game, as did Ulster of Northern Ireland's victory against Turkey. Midweek Sport Special included all four games, plus boxing, as Leeds-based Tom Collins won the European light-heavyweight title at Usk, in Wales.
630	Wednesday, 17 February 1988 - Israel 0 England 0 [0-0] The National Stadium, Tel Aviv - Kick-off 4.45pm (2.45pm GMT)	Olympic Match of the Day (BBC2) - 2:35pm - 4:35pm (News and weather during half-time interval) commentators John Motson and Jimmy Hill (BBC Scotland opted out) Olympic Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:10pm - 12:00am (recorded highlights)
Notes		Ice hockey from the Winter Olympics in Calgary was shown immediately before the game. Viewers in Scotland saw their game in Saudi Arabia broadcast live at the same time as England's game, in Olympic Sportscene. Olympic Sportsnight included highlights from both games, but also featured extensive coverage of speed skating, ski-jumping and figure-skating from Calgary.
631	Wednesday, 23 March 1988 - England 2 Netherlands 2 [1-2] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm GMT HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:00pm - 11:55pm commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
Notes		Viewers in Northern Ireland and Wales saw longer versions of their games, against Poland and Yugoslavia, respectively. Sportsnight probably also included action from the Republic of Ireland's game with Romania, and there were highlights from the World Pairs Figure Skating Championship in Budapest, where Soviets took all of the medal positions.
632	Wednesday, 27 April 1988 - Hungary 0 England 0 [0-0] Népstadion, Budapest - Kick-off 5.00pm (4.00pm BST)	International Football (ITV) - 3:55pm - 5:55pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire (Grampian and Scottish opted out) commentators Brian Moore and Trevor Francis Midweek Sport Special (ITV) - 10:35pm - 12:00am (recorded highlights) Anglia, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, Thames, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire (Border, Grampian and Scottish opted out)
Notes		Scotland's evening game in Spain was broadcast live north of the border (as well as in the English areas serviced by the Border region). Ulster viewers probably had their own extended version of Northern Ireland's meeting with France, whilst Midweek Sport Special included both games, together with the Republic of Ireland's clash with Yugoslavia and, possibly, Wales' trip to Sweden.
633	Saturday, 21 May 1988 - England 1 Scotland 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 3.00pm BST	Football - The Rous Cup (ITV) - 2:30pm - 5:00pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, London Weekend, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees and Yorkshire (Ulster opted out) commentators Brian Moore and Ron Atkinson Grampian and Scottish commentator Jock Brown Ulster - 11:05pm - 11:50pm (recorded highlights)
Notes		Northern Ireland were playing Malta in their opening World Cup qualifier at the same time and Ulster's programme featured the highlights. Before the game, at 12 noon, Border, Central and Granada showed highlights from the XXXX Super 6 indoor tournament from Brisbane, involving Arsenal, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest competing against three Australian state representative sides.
634	Tuesday, 24 May 1988 - England 1 Colombia 1 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:30pm - 11:45pm commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
Notes		The programme also included a report from Florida on European 100 metres breaststroke champion, Adrian Moorhouse's progress in preparation for the Olympics in Seoul.
Other England Internationals		Saturday, 28th May 1988 - Schoolboys Wembley Stadium, London England 4 Italy 1 - International Football (ITV) 1:50pm - 3:45pm (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and Ian St John
635	Saturday, 28 May 1988 - Switzerland 0 England 1 [0-0] Stade Olympique, Lausanne - Kick-off 5.15pm (4.15pm BST)	Grandstand (BBC1) - 3:50pm - 6:10pm commentators Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill
Notes		The half-time interval featured results and reports from the Football League play-off final second legs. They included Middlesbrough winning promotion to the first division and relegating Chelsea to the second division in the process. Footage of the only goal of the game was shown, together with terrace disturbances after the match. There was also a brief filmed report from the European Judo Championships in Pamplona that had to be cut short due to the beginning of the second half in Lausanne.
European Championship Finals 1988		West Germany
636	Sunday, 12 June 1988 - England 0 Republic of Ireland 1 [0-1] Neckarstadion, Stuttgart - Kick-off 3.30pm (2.30pm BST)	European Football Championship '88 (ITV) 2:00pm - 4:30pm (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and Ron Atkinson Sunday Grandstand (BBC2) - 4:30pm - 5:00pm commentator Barry Davies (recorded highlights) The 1988 European Football Championship (BBC1) 9:00pm - 9:15pm (approximately) (recorded highlights)
Notes		BBC1 broadcast live coverage of the other opening game in England's group, between the Netherlands and the USSR, in the evening. RTÉ 2 showed both games live in Ireland.
637	Wednesday, 15 June 1988 - England 1 Netherlands 3 [0-1] Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf - Kick-off 5.15pm (4.15pm BST)	The 1988 European Football Championship (BBC1) - 4.00pm - 6.05pm commentators John Motson and Jimmy Hill European Football Championship '88 (ITV - all regions) 6:45pm - 7:10pm (approximately) commentators Martin Tyler and Trevor Francis (recorded highlights) The 1988 European Football Championship (BBC1) 10:25pm - 10:55pm (recorded highlights) European Football Special (ITV) 12:35am - 2:30am - Thursday, 16th June (full game recording) Anglia, Central, Channel, Granada, Scottish, Thames, TVS, Tyne Tees and Yorkshire (Border, Grampian, HTV Wales, HTV West, TSW and Ulster opted out)
Notes		ITV broadcast live coverage of the other game in England's group, between the Republic of Ireland and the USSR, in the evening. The draw confirmed England's elimination from the competition and the later BBC highlights included both games. Once again, RTÉ 2 showed both games live in Ireland.
638	Saturday, 18 June 1988 - England 1 USSR 3 [1-2] Waldstadion, Frankfurt am Main - Kick-off 3.30pm (2.30pm BST) HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Grandstand (BBC1) - 4:20pm - 4:55pm (approximately) commentator Barry Davies (recorded highlights) European Football Championship '88 (ITV) 11:05pm - 12:00am (all regions) commentator Martin Tyler (recorded highlights)
Notes		With England already eliminated, Grandstand chose to show live the Republic of Ireland's unsuccessful attempt to reach the semi-finals, against the Netherlands, with only highlights being shown of England's game, both at half-time and full-time. ITV showed highlights of both games, whilst RTÉ 1 also showed their game with the Netherlands live in Ireland.

Season 1988-89
639	Wednesday, 14 September 1988 - England 1 Denmark 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:30pm - 12:00am commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
Notes		The programme also included highlights from the World Cup qualifiers between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (shown live earlier on BBC1 Northern Ireland), between Norway and Scotland (shown live in the Border, Grampian and Scottish regions of ITV) and between the Netherlands and Wales (shown live by S4C). There was also a report from Seoul, with the Olympic Games due to begin at the weekend. Midweek Sport Special on ITV (apart from in the regions that had shown the Scotland game live) also showed highlights from Scotland's and Wales' games.
640	Wednesday, 19 October 1988 - England 0 Sweden 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight Special (BBC1) - 9:35pm - 11:25pm Sportsnight Wales (BBC1 Wales) - 9:35pm - 11:14pm commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights)
Notes		The programme also included highlights from the World Cup qualifier between Wales and Finland, the main feature of Sportsnight Wales. The Rothmans Grand Prix Snooker tournament from Reading, and Northern Division's victory against the Australian rugby union tourists at Otley were also featured. Over on ITV, Midweek Sport Special was featuring Scotland's game with Yugoslavia which was also shown by Border, Grampian and Scottish in Scotsport Special. Ulster had covered Northern Ireland's game in Hungary live, but this game may have appeared in both highlights programmes, as well as Wales' game and possibly the goals from the Republic of Ireland's victory against Tunisia. Midweek Sport Special also included action from the heavyweight clash between West Germany and the Netherlands, in Wales' group.
641	Wednesday, 16 November 1988 - Saudi Arabia 1 England 1 [1-0] King Fahd II International Stadium, Riyadh - Kick-off 7.00pm (4.00pm GMT)	International Football (BBC2) - 3:50pm - 6:00pm commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:50pm - 12:10am Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:50pm - 12:10am (recorded highlights)
Notes		Sportsnight also included action from a boxing international match between England and Czechoslovakia, and an interview with the new 100 metres Olympic breaststroke champion, Adrian Moorhouse.
642	Wednesday, 8 February 1989 - Greece 1 England 2 [1-1] Olympiako Stadio Athinas Spyros Louis, Athína - Kick-off 3.00pm (1.00pm GMT)	International Football (BBC1) - 1:50pm - 2:50pm (BBC Scotland opted out) commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking (second half only) Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:00pm - 11:30pm (BBC Scotland opted out) (recorded highlights)
Notes		Kicking off half-an-hour after England, Scotland played a World Cup qualifier in Cyprus which was shown, live by the Border, Grampian and Scottish regions of ITV in Scotsport World Cup Special, and the highlights, in the networked Midweek Sport Special on ITV at 10:35, along with action from Northern Ireland's game with Spain and the UEFA Super Cup second leg between European champions, PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands and Mechelen of Belgium. Sportsnight also included action from the Alpine World Ski Championships in Colorado and a report on Frank Bruno's preparations for his upcoming world heavyweight title fight against Mike Tyson in Las Vegas.
643	Wednesday, 8 March 1989 - Albania 0 England 2 [0-1] Stadiumi Kombetar, Tiranë - Kick-off 3.00pm (2.00pm GMT)	International Football (BBC1) - 1:50pm - 3:50pm (BBC Scotland opted out) commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:00pm - 12:00am Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:00pm - 12:00am (recorded highlights)
Notes		The Border, Grampian and Scottish regions of ITV provided live coverage of Scotland's World Cup qualifier with France in Scotsport World Cup Special in the evening and all opted out of the Midweek Sport Special that included highlights of the game, along with the Republic of Ireland's trip to Hungary and a round-up of the latest action from La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy and Eredivisie in the Netherlands. Sportsnight and Sportscene began with live coverage of Duke McKenzie's successful defence of the IBF World Flyweight title against the American, Tony DeLuca at the Royal Albert Hall and included action from the World Indoor Bowls Championship at Preston.
644	Wednesday, 26 April 1989 - England 5 Albania 0 [2-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:00pm - 12:10am commentator John Motson Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:00pm - 12:10am (recorded highlights)
Notes		Sportsnight and Sportscene also included action from Wales' friendly with Sweden and the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Spain which was also included on Midweek Sport Special on ITV at 11:35, along with Scotland's game against Cyprus, and the Netherlands against West Germany in Rotterdam. Northern Ireland's qualifier in Malta was probably also featured. ITV regions, Border, Grampian and Scottish provided their own highlights of Scotland's game in Scotsport World Cup Special at the same time. Satellite TV channel, Eurosport broadcast World Cup highlights at 9:00, possibly including the big game in Rotterdam. The BBC programmes also provided action from the quarter-finals of the Embassy World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, with Stephen Hendry and John Parrott going through to the last four. There was also a preview of the weekend's rugby league showpiece occasion at Wembley between St Helens and Wigan in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final.
Other England Internationals		Tuesday, 23rd May 1989 - Women Wembley Stadium, London England 0 Sweden 2 - Sportsnight (BBC1) 10:15pm - 11:35pm reporter Gerald Sinstadt (recorded highlights)
645	Tuesday, 23 May 1989 - England 0 Chile 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:15pm - 11:35pm commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
Notes		The programme also included a preview of the first one-day cricket international between England and Australia for the Texaco Trophy at Old Trafford in three days' time, including a tribute to former England fast bowler, Brian Statham at a dinner in his honour at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, as he fought against osteoporosis. At 10:00pm, Eurosport broadcast highlights of the World Cup qualifier between Norway and Cyprus in Scotland's group, played two days earlier.
646	Saturday, 27 May 1989 - Scotland 0 England 2 [0-1] Hampden Park, Glasgow - Kick-off 3.00pm BST	Grandstand (BBC1) - 2:55pm - 5:05pm commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking BBC Scotland commentator Archie Macpherson
Notes		At 2:30, Eurosport showed a repeat of the highlights of the European Cup Final from three days earlier, between AC Milan and Steaua Bucharest. Then, at 10:00pm, they provided highlights from the United States' two recent World Cup qualifiers, against Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.
Other England Internationals		Friday, 2nd June 1989 - UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifying Home Park, Plymouth England 2 Poland 1 - Newsport (ITV - TSW) 5:05pm - 5:10pm - Saturday, 3rd June commentator Pete Barraclough (recorded highlights)
647	Saturday, 3 June 1989 - England 3 Poland 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 3.00pm BST HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	World Cup Match of the Day (BBC1) - 10:40pm - 11:30pm commentator John Motson and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights)
648	Wednesday, 7 June 1989 - Denmark 1 England 1 [0-1] Idrætsparken, København - Kick-off 8.00pm (7.00pm BST) HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:20pm - 12:00am commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights)
Notes		Sportsnight began with live boxing from Wembley Arena as Northern Ireland's Dave McAuley beat Duke McKenzie on points to win the IBF World Flyweight title. He was to hold it for three years. Eurosport broadcast highlights from the World Cup qualifier between Switzerland and Czechoslovakia at 10:00pm.
Other England Internationals		Saturday, 10th June 1989 - Schoolboys Wembley Stadium, London England 1 West Germany 3 - Schoolboys' Football (ITV) 1:40pm - 4:00pm Anglia, Border, Central, Channel, Granada, HTV Wales, HTV West, London Weekend, TSW, TVS, Tyne Tees, Ulster and Yorkshire commentators Brian Moore and Jimmy Greaves (Grampian and Scottish opted out to provide live coverage of Scotland's opening match of the Under-16 World Championship against Ghana at Hampden Park, Glasgow)

Season 1989-90
649	Wednesday, 6 September 1989 - Sweden 0 England 0 [0-0] Råsunda Fotbollstadion, Solna - Kick-off 7.00pm (6.00pm BST)	World Cup Match of the Day (BBC2) - 5:45pm - 8:00pm (BBC Scotland opted out) commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:20pm - 12:10am (recorded highlights)
Notes		At half-time, there was a round-up of all of the other World Cup qualifying groups, with some recent action. Two other qualifiers were being broadcast live in the UK at the same time as England's game. Wales kicked off an hour earlier in Finland on S4C, whilst Scotland's match in Yugoslavia was an hour later than England's and appeared in the Border, Grampian and Scottish regions of ITV on Scotsport World Cup Special. Midweek Sport Special on ITV at 10:35 provided highlights of Scotland's game, though Border opted out. Sportsnight viewers in Northern Ireland saw extended highlights of their game with Hungary, whilst both versions of the programme may also have seen footage from Scotland's and Wales' games. plus the Republic of Ireland's friendly with West Germany, as potentially, would Midweek Sport Special. Also featuring in Sportsnight were cricket highlights from the Refuge Assurance Cup semi-finals and a preview of the athletics World Cup to be held at the weekend in Barcelona. Eurosport had World Cup highlights at 9:00pm, whilst in the afternoon, Screensport featured recent La Liga action from Spain and highlights of the previous weekend's qualifier between Brazil and Chile, abandoned under controversial circumstances eventually leading to Chile's disqualification and ban from the next World Cup.
650	Wednesday, 11 October 1989 - Poland 0 England 0 [0-0] Stadion Śląski, Chorzów - Kick-off 6.00pm (5.00pm BST)	World Cup Match of the Day (BBC1) - 4:50pm - 6:00pm (first half) (BBC Scotland opted out) World Cup Match of the Day (BBC2) - 6:00pm - 7:00pm (second half) (BBC Scotland opted out) commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:25pm - 11:50pm (recorded highlights)
Notes		BBC2 Northern Ireland broadcast live coverage from Dublin in the afternoon as the Republic of Ireland beat their neighbours in a vital World Cup qualifier. Highlights were shown in Sportsnight which also included action from Wales' game with the Netherlands and a profile of the rising Thai snooker player, James Wattana. Highlights from Wales' game were also shown on S4C at 11:00. Eurosport broadcast World Cup highlights at 10:00, whilst Screensport had action in the afternoon that may have been from La Liga and from World Cup qualifiers from around the world.
Other England Internationals		Tuesday, 14th November 1989 - B International Goldstone Ground, Hove England 1 Italy 1 - Sportsnight (BBC1) 11:00pm - 11:20pm - Wednesday, 15th November (recorded highlights) commentator Gerald Sinstadt
651	Wednesday, 15 November 1989 - England 0 Italy 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm GMT HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:20pm - 11:00pm Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 10:20pm - 12:10am commentator Barry Davies (recorded highlights)
Notes		After the England game, Sportsnight went on to provide a World Cup qualifying round-up, with action from Wales' visit to West Germany and the Republic of Ireland's victory in Malta, as they sealed their qualification for the finals. Following that was a report on Neil Webb's recovery from a ruptured achilles tendon sustained playing for England in Sweden, two months earlier, and the third part of the Story of the World Cup, featuring the 1966 tournament. The Grampian and Scottish regions of ITV (and possibly also Border) provided live coverage of Scotland's game with Norway as they also booked their place in the following year's World Cup finals. Midweek Sport Special in the rest of the ITV regions featured highlights from the game, plus the Irish win in Malta. Sportscene also featured the quarter-finals of the CIS Scottish Masters indoor bowling tournament. World Cup qualifying action was on Eurosport at 10:00pm and Screensport featured recent La Liga action in the afternoon, plus more World Cup action.
652	Wednesday, 13 December 1989 - England 2 Yugoslavia 1 [1-1] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm GMT HIGHLIGHTS ONLY	Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:25pm - 11:10pm commentator John Motson (recorded highlights)
Notes		Following the England game, Sportsnight had a brief round-up of the week's FA Cup second round replays. The programme also had a feature on the future of Wembley Stadium and completed the Story of the World Cup with the 1986 tournament. Once again, Eurosport had a programme of World Cup highlights at 10:00pm and Screensport showed La Liga action in the afternoon.
653	Wednesday, 28 March 1990 - England 1 Brazil 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST	The Main Event (The Sports Channel) - 7:50pm - 10:00pm commentators Martin Tyler and Andy Gray Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:20pm - 12:10am commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights) The Sports Channel - 2:00pm - 4:00pm - Thursday, 29th March (full game recording)
Notes		The Border, Grampian and Scottish regions of ITV provided live coverage of Scotland's prestigious victory against Argentina, the highlights of which were shown by the other ITV regions in Midweek Sport Special, along with the game between the Republic of Ireland and Wales, and also on BSB (The Sports Channel), following England's game. Eurosport had their regular programme of Goals from around the world in the morning and Screensport had some international highlights in the afternoon. It's likely that the goals from the previous night's encounter between Northern Ireland and Norway were also shown by one or more of the programmes. Sportsnight also featured action from the final day of the cricket third test in Port of Spain, where England led the series against the West Indies and there was action from the qualifying rounds of the Embassy World Snooker Championship, followed by live coverage of the draw for the final tournament in Sheffield.
654	Wednesday, 25 April 1990 - England 4 Czechoslovakia 2 [2-1] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST	The Main Event (The Sports Channel) - 7:50pm - 10:00pm commentators Martin Tyler and Andy Gray Sportsnight (BBC1) - 10:20pm - 12:20am commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights) The Sports Channel - 2:00pm - 4:00pm - Thursday, 26th April (full game recording)
Notes		Galaxy on BSB had live coverage of Scotland's game with East Germany, highlights of which would probably have followed England's game on The Sports Channel. Midweek Sport Special on ITV also showed highlights, plus Wales' trip to Sweden and the game between the Republic of Ireland and the USSR (which was shown live on both Network 2 in Ireland, and Eurosport). Meanwhile, the Grampian and Scottish regions were showing extended highlights of Scotland's game in Midweek Scotsport, and Ulster had highlights of the Cawoods County Antrim Shield Final between Glentoran and Linfield in Sportsbeat Special. S4C had an earlier highlights programme to show Wales' game. Eurosport's Goals in the morning and Screensport's La Liga action in the afternoon were also broadcast, as usual. Sportsnight concluded with semi-final action from the Embassy World Snooker Championship between Stephen Hendry and John Parrott, and a preview of the weekend's rugby league Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final with Wigan hoping to complete a hat-trick of triumphs at Wembley against Warrington.
655	Tuesday, 15 May 1990 - England 1 Denmark 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST	The Main Event (The Sports Channel) - 7:50pm - 10:00pm commentators Martin Tyler and Andy Gray Sportsnight (BBC1) - 9:30pm - 10:40pm Sportsnight (BBC1 Northern Ireland) - 11:25pm - 12:35am commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights) The Sports Channel - 2:00pm - 4:00pm - Wednesday, 16th May (full game recording)
Notes		Sportsnight also had a preview of the following week's visit of Uruguay to Wembley.
656	Tuesday, 22 May 1990 - England 1 Uruguay 2 [0-1] Wembley Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 8.00pm BST	The Main Event (The Sports Channel) - 7:50pm - 10:00pm commentators Martin Tyler and Andy Gray Sportsnight (BBC1) - 9:30pm - 10:30pm commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights) The Sports Channel - 2:00pm - 4:00pm - Wednesday, 23rd May (full game recording)
Other England Internationals		Saturday, 2nd June 1990 - Schoolboys Wembley Stadium, London England 1 Netherlands 0 - International Schoolboy Football (ITV) 1:30pm - 3:55pm (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and John Hollins
657	Saturday, 2 June 1990 - Tunisia 1 England 1 [1-0] Stade Olympique El Menzah, Tunis - Kick-off 3.30pm (2.30pm BST)	Grandstand (BBC1) - 2:20pm - 4:15pm (Horse racing from Lingfield Park during half-time interval) commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking The Main Event (The Sports Channel) - 8:00pm - 9:00pm (recorded highlights) The Sports Channel -  10:00am - 12:00pm - Sunday, 3rd June (full game recording) commentator Martin Tyler
Notes		Screensport repeated the previous week's live coverage of the friendly between Yugoslavia and Spain.
World Cup Finals 1990		Italy
658	Monday, 11 June 1990 - England 1 Republic of Ireland 1 [1-0] Stadio Comunale Sant'Elia, Casteddu - Kick-off 9.00pm (8.00pm BST)	World Cup 90 (ITV) - 7:35pm - 10:00pm (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and Ron Atkinson World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 10:00pm - 12:00am and 12:00pm - 2:00pm (approximately) - Tuesday, 12th June (full game recording) commentators Peter Brackley and Lawrie McMenemy World Cup Report (BBC1) - 11:00pm - 12:00am World Cup Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) - 11:00pm - 12:00am commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking (recorded highlights)
Notes		ITV and Eurosport had broadcast live Scotland's opening game against Costa Rica in the afternoon, and the later live programme would have included some highlights, with extended versions in World Cup Report and World Cup Sportscene. Network 2 showed both games live in Ireland. Eurosport also showed full delayed coverage of both of the previous night's World Cup games, between Brazil and Sweden, and West Germany and Yugoslavia from 10:00am.
659	Saturday, 16 June 1990 - Netherlands 0 England 0 [0-0] Stadio Comunale Sant'Elia, Casteddu  - Kick-off 9.00pm (8.00pm BST)	World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 7:30pm - 10:45pm commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking World Cup Sportscene (BBC1 Scotland) 8:50pm - 9:00pm (approximately) (recorded highlights) 9:55pm - 10:45pm (approximately) (second half recording) World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 10:00pm - 12:00am, 2:00am - 4:00am (approximately) - Sunday, 17th June and 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Sunday, 17th June commentators Peter Brackley and Lawrie McMenemy (full game recording) World Cup 90 (ITV) - 10:50pm - 11:50pm (all regions) commentators Alan Parry and Ron Atkinson (recorded highlights) Grandstand (BBC2) - 1:30pm - 1:50pm - Sunday, 17th June (recorded highlights)
Notes		ITV and Eurosport had provided live coverage of the other game in Scotland's group, between Brazil and Costa Rica in the afternoon, and the following BBC and ITV programmes included highlights. World Cup Grandstand showed brief highlights from Scotland's game with Sweden (which kicked-off at the same time as England's) at half-time, and full delayed coverage of the second half at the conclusion of England's game. World Cup Sportscene had live coverage of Scotland's game, as did Eurosport which had also shown full delayed coverage of both of the previous day's World Cup games, between Austria and Czechoslovakia, and United Arab Emirates and West Germany from 10:00am. Network 2 showed England's game live in Ireland.
660	Thursday, 21 June 1990 - England 1 Egypt 0 [0-0] Stadio Comunale Sant'Elia, Casteddu - Kick-off 9.00pm (8.00pm BST)	World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 7:30pm - 10:00pm commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 8:00pm - 10:00pm (approximately) commentators Peter Brackley and Lawrie McMenemy World Cup 90 (ITV) - 11:05pm - 12:05am (all regions) commentators Brian Moore and Trevor Francis (recorded highlights) World Cup Report (BBC1) - 9:05am - 10:00am - Friday, 22nd June (recorded highlights) World Cup 90 (Eurosport) 12:00pm - 2:00pm (approximately) - Friday, 22nd June (full game recording)
Notes		BBC1 Northern Ireland viewers saw the other, simultaneous deciding game in England's group between the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in World Cup Grandstand, with only brief highlights of England's game at half-time and full-time. Viewers in the rest of the UK watching England's game saw brief highlights of Ireland's game at half-time and full-time. ITV and Eurosport had provided live coverage of the game between Belgium and Spain in the afternoon, with Eurosport then showing full delayed coverage of the game between Korea Republic and Uruguay before the England game. The following BBC and ITV programmes included action from all four games. Eurosport had also shown full delayed coverage of both of the previous night's World Cup games, between Brazil and Scotland, and Costa Rica and Sweden from 10:00am, and showed full delayed coverage of Ireland's game following England's. Network 2 showed the Republic's game live in Ireland.
661	Tuesday, 26 June 1990 - England 1 Belgium 0 [0-0] AET [0-0] Stadio Renato Dall' Ara, Bologna - Kick-off 9.00pm (8.00pm BST)	World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 7:30pm - 10:30pm (approximately) commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking World Cup 90 (ITV - all regions) - 7:40pm - 10:30pm (approximately) commentators Brian Moore and Ron Atkinson World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 8:00pm - 10:30pm (approximately) commentators Peter Brackley and Lawrie McMenemy World Cup 90 (Eurosport) 12:30am - 2:30am (approximately) - Wednesday, 27th June 1:00pm - 3:00pm (approximately) - Wednesday, 27th June (full game recording)
Notes		An earlier World Cup Grandstand, in the afternoon, had broadcast live coverage of the second round tie between Spain and Yugoslavia, with highlights shown by both BBC and ITV in their evening programmes. This was also shown live on Eurosport after they had earlier had full delayed recordings of the previous day's games between the Republic of Ireland and Romania, and Italy and Uruguay, from 11:30am. Network 2 broadcast England's game live in Ireland.
662	Sunday, 1 July 1990 - Cameroon 2 England 3 [0-1] AET [2-2] Stadio San Paolo, Napoli - Kick-off 9.00pm (8.00pm BST)	World Cup 90 (ITV - all regions) - 7:00pm - 10:30pm (approximately) commentators Brian Moore and Ron Atkinson - see transcripts below World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 7:30pm - 10:30pm (approximately) commentators Barry Davies, Trevor Brooking and Bobby Charlton - see transcripts below World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 8:00pm - 10:30pm (approximately) commentators Peter Brackley and Lawrie McMenemy World Cup 90 (Eurosport) 12:00am - 2:00am (approximately) - Monday, 2nd July 4:00pm - 6:00pm (approximately) - Monday, 2nd July (full game recording)
Notes		An earlier World Cup Grandstand, in the afternoon, had broadcast live coverage of the quarter-final tie between Czechoslovakia and West Germany, with highlights shown by both BBC and ITV in their evening programmes. This was also shown live on Eurosport after they had earlier had full delayed recordings of the previous day's quarter-finals between Argentina and Yugoslavia, and Italy and the Republic of Ireland, from 10:00am. Network 2 broadcast England's game live in Ireland.
663	Wednesday, 4 July 1990 - West Germany 1 England 1 [0-0] AET [1-1] & Penalties [4-3] Stadio delle Alpi, Torino - Kick-off 8.00pm (7.00pm BST)	World Cup 90 (ITV - all regions) - 6:30pm - 10:00pm (approximately) commentators Brian Moore and Ron Atkinson - see transcripts below World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 6:35pm - 10:00pm (approximately) commentators John Motson and Trevor Brooking - see transcripts below World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 9:00pm - 11:30pm and 4:00pm - 6:30pm - Thursday, 5th July commentators Peter Brackley and Lawrie McMenemy (full game recording)
Notes		Eurosport had broadcast a full delayed recording in the afternoon of the previous night's other semi-final between Argentina and Italy. Network 2 broadcast England's game live in Ireland.
664	Saturday, 7 July 1990 - Italy 2 England 1 [0-0] Stadio San Nicola, Bari - Kick-off 8.00pm (7.00pm BST)	World Cup 90 (ITV - all regions) - 6:30pm - 9:05pm commentators Alan Parry and Trevor Francis World Cup Grandstand (BBC1) - 6:50pm - 9:00pm commentators Barry Davies and Trevor Brooking World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 7:00pm - 9:30pm commentators Ian Darke and Lawrie McMenemy World Cup 90 (Eurosport) - 11:00pm - 1:00am and 11:00am - 12:30pm - Sunday, 8th July (full game recording)
Notes		Eurosport had broadcast full delayed recordings of both semi-finals earlier in the day. Network 2 broadcast England's game live in Ireland.

Sunday, 22 June 1986

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL

Argentina 2 England 1

(BBC commentary transcript - Barry Davies)

As Diego Maradona gave Argentina the lead...

Maradona just walked away from Hoddle, then. Valdano, Hodge and...Maradona! They're appealing for offside. The ball came back off the foot of Steve Hodge and Maradona gives Argentina the lead. The England players protesting to the referee, but the little man who started it by walking past Glenn Hoddle, there's where the ball came from Hodge, Maradona had continued the run forward and the goal is given. At what point was he offside or was it a use of the hand that England are complaining about? Well, certainly, his arm was up. Peter Shilton protested immediately, but the goal stands.

As Maradona scored again, four minutes later...

He has Burruchaga to his left, and Valdano to his left. He doesn't... He won't need any of them! Oh! You have to say, "that's magnificent!" There is no debate about that goal. That was just pure football genius and the crowd in the Azteca Stadium stand to him. Inside one, away from another and the coolness under pressure to play the ball home with the side of his foot. If the first was illegal, the second was one of the best goals we've seen in this championship.

(ITV commentary transcript - Martin Tyler)

...we haven't been able to control the play in midfield the way that Maradona has been able to do, and he's hurting England again here. It's a brilliant run! It's one of the World Cup great goals!

Sixteen minutes after the first goal, the BBC showed another angle that proved conclusively that Maradona had used his hand...

(BBC commentary transcript - Barry Davies)

...he's the man who has sent us onto the slippery slope but, surely, when he scored the first, as he ran onto the ball that was knocked on by the foot of Hodge, it was his hand he used to go past Peter Shilton. There can be no question. It was handball.

[Davies didn't actually see this replay, but he was told that it was conclusive]

As Gary Lineker pulled a goal back...

This is John Barnes. That's nicely done. That's a good cross! They're queueing up, Lineker! Nine minutes left and English hopes are rekindled...and John Barnes, who has had to stay for so long as a spectator did what we know he can do, got to the byeline, a lovely cross and Lineker gets goal number six in this competition, but more importantly than that statistic he gives England a chance of saving the day.

As Lineker almost scored an equaliser...

This is Beardsley, two to his left, one is John Barnes and every Englishman, surely, will be saying, "go on, run at them". It's a good cross! Yeh...no! Lineker just could not get to it. Corner given. Centimetres away and Lineker fell awkwardly on that injured wrist. What a peach of a cross and it was a defender [Olarticoechea] who got there first with the back of the head to turn it away for the corner.

Sunday 1 July 1990

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL

Cameroon 2 England 3

AFTER EXTRA TIME

As Cameroon took the lead...

(BBC commentary transcript - Barry Davies)

Ekeke, and again. Milla, makes it look so easy! Ekekeee!...and Cameroon lead! So smooth, through the heart of Bobby Robson's England.

(ITV commentary transcript - Brian Moore)

Milla's up front there, the man who, er, made us concede the penalty. He's on again, he's put it through for Ekeke! Cameroon are in the lead! The man Milla was the man who made the opening and, suddenly, a crisis has developed for England and a disaster is beckoning.

As Gary Lineker equalised from a penalty...

(BBC commentary transcript - Barry Davies)

Never a more vital penalty for England. It's all square!...and, suddenly, the expressions change.

(ITV commentary transcript - Brian Moore)

Lineker's chance to make it two-two. Here he goes! It is two-two!

As England were awarded a second penalty in extra time...

(BBC commentary transcript - Barry Davies)

Gascoigne, drives the limbs again, and here's Linekerrr!...and he's brought down! A penalty!

Bobby Robson turns away to go back to the bench and looks back again, over his shoulder, stands, staring and shouting, as in comes Lineker, and scores!

(ITV commentary transcript - Brian Moore)

Gascoigne, though, picking it up for England, a nice, little surging run by him. What has he got forward? He's got Lineker forward! Lineker, now! That's another penalty! That's gotta be a penalty, it is a penalty!

He's done it once, can he do it again? Gary Lineker, three-two!

 

Wednesday 4 July 1990

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL

England 1 West Germany 1

AFTER EXTRA TIME

West Germany won 4-3 on penalties

GI