The day Portugal shocked England

Paulo Futre attacks during the Monterrey clash

Listen to the pre-tournament hype, and you would think England-Germany was the only game that mattered in Group A.

But history shows that Kevin Keegan's team should be worrying just as much about the opener against Portugal on 12 June.

Almost exactly 14 years ago, England came up against the same country in the opening game of another major tournament. And that day, they received the rudest of awakenings.

The scene was Monterrey, Mexico, and the game the second match in Group F of the 1986 World Cup Finals.

Also in the group were Morocco and Poland. England, after an unbeaten qualifying campaign, were confident of a win.

Terry Butcher defends in Monterrey

After missing out on the European Championship finals two years before, manager Bobby Robson had built a team that could score goals as well as grind out results.

With a spine consisting of Peter Shilton, Robson's old Ipswich warrior Terry Butcher, Bryan Robson and Mark Hateley, England had reached Mexico in some style, beating Turkey 8-0 away from home and tonking Finland 5-0 at Wembley.

Hateley

Northern Ireland, who had also reached the finals, had been beaten in Belfast with a goal from Mark Hateley, England's undisputed number one striker.

It had been Hateley's goals and form for Milan that spearheaded England's march to Mexico. But after the Portugal game, nothing would quite been the same again.

Robson had come under a torrent of criticism in the early part of his reign. But with that solid spine augmented by the experience of Kenny Sansom at left-back, the pace of Everton's Gary Stevens on the right, the passing abilities of Glenn Hoddle, Ray Wilkins and Chris Waddle in the middle and the promise of international rookie Gary Lineker up front, the nation expected.

What they did not forsee was England being out-played and out-fought throughout the match.

With the temperatures in Monterrey hotter than a welder's facemask, and the atmosphere as smoggy as Robson had feared, England were huffing and puffing themselves to a disappointing draw.

Disaster

Then, disaster struck.

With less than a quarter of an hour to go, Carlos Manuel popped up and Portugal were ahead.

Robson brought on Steve Hodge and Peter Beardsley for Bryan Robson and Waddle, but to no avail. The game was lost.

Now 14 years on and Waddle believes England could be ambushed again.

"Portugal have a wonderfully talented team," he said.

"It's the hardest of the games we have to play. By comparison, this is a good time to play Germany.

Portugal have a wonderfully talented team

Chris Waddle

"They have several players that Kevin Keegan would love to have in his team. Paulo Sousa in midfield with Conceicao, Rui Costa - there's so many who'll have to be watched.

"And that's without considering Luis Figo, who's one of the very best players in the world. The last two seasons he's been fantastic.

"It doesn't matter which wing he plays on - he'll be a real threat."

When England were taken apart in '86, the seeds for future success were sown amongst the debris.

With Hateley mis-firing up front in the dismal draw with Morocco, Peter Beardsley was brought in alongside Lineker for the final, do-or-die game against Poland, and one of the most productive partnerships in England's history was born.

Keegan will be hoping that it does not take another defeat to kick-start England's campaign this time around.