On this day 24 years ago, England faced Paraguay in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, running out 3-0 winners thanks to a brace from Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley. That would do against Algeria in Cape Town tonight wouldn't it?

Yep, later on this evening England target their first 2010 World Cup victory against an Algerian side ranked by most as outsiders in South Africa. Anything less than a convincing three points and you can bet the critics - not least German legend Franz Beckenbauer - will be on their backs faster than a turtle shell. Last Saturday's 1-1 draw against the USA was not good enough, apparently, so the time has come for Don Fabio's boys to step up. Nervous?

I'm Sam Lyon and I'll be setting the scene for our very own Chris Bevan in Cape Town ahead of our first game of matchday eight - Germany v Serbia. There are more issues than the back catalogue of the Beano to discuss, so why don't you think about getting involved? You can text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), Tweet me on Twitter @sampatricklyon or kick the chat off on 606 - so you've no excuses.

Of course, it would be a lot easier to laugh off Franz Beckenbauer's stinging salvo if Germany hadn't have been so darn impressive in their opening game. But they were good. Very good. Australia may have played more than half an hour a man down, but even before that Germany were destroying them. Today, they face a step up in class against a Serbia side smarting from defeat to Ghana - and we might just get a clearer idea of how good they really are. Franz - we will be watching closely.

Your meat in the sandwich of Germany-Serbia and England-Algeria today, of course, is Slovenia against the United States - the 'other' game in England's Group C. A win for Slovenia in that one could have serious ramifications for England - a draw would then be good enough against Fabio Capello's side next Wedensday for Slovenia to top the group. Lining England up for a possible second round clash against the in-form Germans. Ouch.

How nice of PoolieBoy and Gav to bring me on to my next topic of conversation - just how bad France have been in South Africa. Rubbish against Uruguay in the dullest of dull matches last Friday, they were even worse against Mexico last night. Credit to Javier Aguirre's side, they were cracking, but Ramond Domenech can only be branded a failure if France go out, surely? A draw between Uruguay and Mexico in their last group game would be enough to eng the French's short World Cup now. And you thought England's draw with the US was worrying.

While we're on the subject of France-Mexico - how good was Javier Hernandez last night? Sir Alex Ferguson reckons he's landed a peach of a player in signing him for Manchester United and on last night's evidence it's hard to disagree with him. Something of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaers about him if you ask me.

David James will get the nod ahead of Robert Green in goal for England tonight, say our sources. Thoughts?

"But Sam, what has Robert Green done to deserve being dropped?" Well person I've just made up who has been hiding under a rock for a week, it was his costly error against the United States last Saturday that cost England an otherwise (just about) deserved win. Cue speculation all week that the West Ham keeper will be axed with David James preferred from here on in. If it's true - and Fabio Capello insists he does not name his team until two hours before kick-off, remember - I can't say I'm surprised. Though I would've like to have seen Joe Hart trusted from the outset in South Africa. Perhaps that's why I'm not England manager, though. That - and no other reason. Clearly.

By the way - anyone who argues against Joe Hart's selection in goal for England because of his lack of experience need look only as far as Germany for your argument to start losing water. Before their opener against Australia, none of Germany's three keepers in South Africa had ever played in a competitive international. Eat that.

For anyone who's interested - I drew Paraguay in our office sweepstake. I'm counting my winnings already.

Now then, aside from France's capitulation, yesterday was memorable for two things - Argentina's hell-for-leather approach that bore fruit with a trouncing of South Korea, and the fact that Greece-Nigeria WASN'T an absolute snorefest. Miracles do happen. Jonathan Stevenson was in Johannesburg to watch Diego Maradona's side turn on the style - his conclusion? Argentina are the new Brazil. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it This-World-Cup-is-Boring merchants.

Guess who's waded into the England keeper debate? It's only wobbly-legged former Liverpool man Bruce Grobbelaar. He says Fabio Capello should plump for David James tonight because "there can be no excuses for the mistake Green made". As a few of you have pointed out, the good thing is that David James has NEVER made a mistake as a keeper. Ever.

So, whomever you support - or more to the point, whomever you've picked out of the hat in your office sweepstake - the time has come to sort out your matchday ritual and superstitions. May I suggest hopping to the toilet, wearing your jeans on backwards, and shouting "PIGEON" at the top of your voice at 13 minutes past every hour. Or, you could just do as the footballers do. Your choice my friends.

Right, with just over 90 minutes to go until kick-off, how about we turn this chat right back around to the Germany-Serbia game? My friend and yours Chris Bevan will get your juices flowing with all the team news and match action in a bit, but let me hit you with some knowledge - Germany have played Serbia on 27 previous occasions (winning 16, drawing four and losing seven) and this, their seventh World Cup meeting, will equal the record number of meetings between two sides, held by Brazil-Sweden. I say this stuff to girls, you know.

If you're wondering, by the way, what it South Africa - and each and every stadium in use at this World Cup - might look like through a lens, you will probably want to check out our Map and Venue guide, which is kind of like a map with a guide to the venues on it surprisingly. It's very nice.

Right, the time has come for me to hand you over to Chris Bevan, who will count you down to Germany-Serbia kick-off and bring you all the action from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. I'll be reporting on that game, and I reckon it might just be a classic. Send your complaints to Twitter @ sampatricklyon when it doesn't happen won't you? See ya!

Thanks Sam. Yep, I'm Chris Bevan and I'm in Cape Town - which has been invaded by hordes of England fans in the last 24 hours. There's a cracking atmosphere here at the moment and everyone is looking forward to tonight's game - including me, and you too I hope...

There wasn't much sympathy for the fate of the French in my part of town last night, but let's take our hats (sombreros surely?) off to Mexico - who are very easy on the eye. So were Germany in their opening game, so fingers crossed for more of the same against Serbia today - kick-off in Port Elizabeth is just an hour or so away.

Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 16-Philipp Lahm, 14-Holger Badstuber; 6-Sami Khedira, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 8-Mesut Ozil, 13-Thomas Mueller; 10-Lukas Podolski, 11-Miroslav Klose
Serbia: 1-Vladimir Stojkovic; 3-Aleksandar Kolarov, 6-Branislav Ivanovic, 5-Nemanja Vidic, 20-Neven Subotic, 17-Milos Krasic, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 22-Zdravko Kuzmanovic, 14-Milan Jovanovic, 18-Milos Ninkovic, 15-Nikola Zigic.
Referee: Alberto Undiano (Spain)

There's been a lot of debate over who should start in goal for England against Algeria later and here's some news on that front. BBC Sport's news correspondent Dan Roan understands that David James will replace the much-maligned Robert Green.

The other big decision for England coach Fabio Capello ahead of the Algeria game is who to start up front alongside Wayne Rooney - Emile Heskey or Jermain Defoe. I spoke to Lee Dixon last night for his tactical view of how England will try to get the win that everyone is expecting.

I meant to say this earlier, but give this page a manual refresh if you haven't already - that way you know who I am. I want to know who you are too, or at least what you think about today's games and how the tournament is shaping up overall. Text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), I'm on Twitter @chrisbevan_bbc or you can always get involved on 606.

Unsurprisingly, Germany coach Joachim Loew goes with the same line-up that routed Australia 4-0 last week against Serbia, resisting the temptation to rotate one or two of his first XI. Serbia coach Raddy Antic, though, does change things following his side's opening game-defeat to Ghana, opting for Neven Subotic in the absence of suspended central defender Aleksandar Lukovic and Milos Ninkovic as a surprise choice to start alongside striker Marko Pantelic. Zdravko Kuzmanovic for Nenad Milijas is the other change.

"Since they lost their first match they are even more dangerous in the second game. They are like a boxer who takes a first blow, they are poised
to hit back. Their coach (Radomir Antic) has talked about honour, character,
that tomorrow's game is the match of the year. I know the Serbian culture, they are strong fighters and are perfectly able to deliver on their promises."

"We are facing the team that has shown the best football so far, in my opinion. I was impressed with their game against Australia. We know we have to rise to the occasion. That's the trademark of real champions. This upcoming match is really a historic match for us. But Germany should also inspire us to regain the passion and joy in our game. We were too tight against Ghana, we failed mentally. All our players have to raise their level."

The players have just emerged from the tunnel at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Sadly, the ground is far from full - again.

Luton Town (and Manchester City) fans will remember Serbia coach Raddy Antic from his time in English football in the early 1980s... he's also managed a couple of teams in Spain you may have heard of? A big day for him today, though: lose this and Serbia's World Cup could be all but over. Kick-off is moments away...

This is promising. Serbia have not exactly been shy in the first couple of minutes. Milan Jovanovic has had a header (comfortably) saved and Dejan Stankovic dragged a long-range shot wide.

Jurgen Klinsmann told me this week how Germany like to get the ball forward as early as possible - he said they play in a 'Premier League' style. They've just had their first decent spell of possession but Philipp Lahm's final ball was too strong for Mesut Ozil. Looking forward to seeing more of him today too.

Germany's first real sight of goal. Nemanja Vidic clears a cross, but only as far as Lukas Podolski. He has time and space on the edge of the area but slices his shot and misses the target.

Serbia are more patient - or pedestrian - coming forward. Still, they are doing alright so far. Milos Krasic crosses for Milos Ninkovic who arrives in the left-hand corner of the area to smash a first-time shot over the bar.

I already like the look of Milos Krasic down the right flank for Serbia and he has just won a free-kick in a dangerous position on that side of the area. Milan Jovanovic floats it over to the back post but nobody is able to make contact with it. Chance gone.

It's not happening for either side at the moment. Germany's Thomas Mueller has massively over-hit a couple of crosses from the right and Serbia just can't keep the ball outside of their own half. No more bookings to tell you about either, which makes a change I suppose.

I'm told that Miroslav Klose is the first German to be sent off in a World Cup match since Carsten Ramelow against Cameroon in 2002. It will be very interesting to see how they react to this...

Germany may only have 10 men but they have just come within inches of an equaliser. After a couple of corners are cleared, Mesut Ozil's cross is punched away by Vladimir Stojkovic - but only as far as Sami Khedira, who slams his shot against the bar.

By the way, Serbia's Milan Jovanovic, who is set to join Liverpool later this summer, celebrated his goal by jumping in the (dry) moat that separates the pitch from the stands. I think he quite enjoyed that too!

Serbia get the second half under way... no changes from either side yet.

Germany are the first to get forward but it's not a clear-cut chance. Bastian Schweinsteiger has the ball on the left-hand side of the area and fizzes a fierce ball across the face of goal - not sure whether it was a cross or a shot... but it was well wide anyway.

I'm going to be holding a World Cup Q&A with Fulham boss Roy Hodgson later this afternoon. If you've got any questions for him, fire them to me on Twitter at chisbevan_bbc

Germany are definitely coming forward with more intent so far in this half, but then they have to, don't they? Bastian Schweinsteiger tries a snap-shot from the edge of the area that Vladimir Stojkovic makes a bit of a meal of... he can't catch it but he keeps it out so I suppose that's good enough.

A couple more changes to tell you about. Mario Gomez is on for Holger Badstuber in Germany's final roll of the dice - they have just three men at the back now - and Serbia have also made all three changes with Radosav Petrovic replacing Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Danko Lazovic on for goalscorer Milan Jovanovic.

Germany are getting more and more desperate, and leaving more and more space at the back. Serbia should take advantage on the break but Radosav Petrovic's pass for Milos Krasic is a poor one... the ball runs out of play.

Poor Lukas Podolski has now had six shots on goal this afternoon - all of them off target - as well as seeing that penalty saved. His latest effort swerved away from goal after he let fly from the left-edge of the area.

Serbia have got a ridiculous amount of space when they break forward... and men over too. They cannot make it count, though, because Milos Krasic overhits his cross despite having a couple of team-mates to aim for.

Serbia survive a spell where the ball was pinging around their area - the referee blows for a foul on Dejan Stankovic, leaving Germany boss Joachim Loew to take his frustration out on a water bottle in his technical area.

That sets up Group D very nicely indeed for Saturday's game beteen Ghana and Australia but it is Group C that we will focus our attention on for the rest of today. First up, Jonathan Stevenson will take you through Slovenia v the United States, followed by England's clash with Algeria. Hold on to your hats... I'll see you again tomorrow.