It is the game Shropshire goalkeeping legend Bert Williams has been trying to forget for 60 years – England versus the USA in the 1950 World Cup.

With Bert in goal, England’s 1-0 defeat in Brazil became known as “the miracle on grass” and marked the only time the footballers of America have beaten any Three Lions team in the history of the World Cup.

Tonight’s opening clash for Fabio Capello’s men has brought memories of that famous upset flooding back for Bert, now aged 90, who is today celebrating an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

“I’ve tried to forget it for 60 years and obviously this match has brought everything back,” he said at his home in Shifnal.

“We did not expect to lose against the USA – we should realistically have won 9-1 – but you have to give the USA credit. They came with a plan and any time we went forward they would have nine or 10 of their players on the goal line.

“I counted at least three times when we hit the crossbar or the upright.”

But, as Bert remembers it, from a free kick came the goal that broke England hearts and had the man known as ‘the Cat’ picking the ball out of the back of the net.

“It was a fortunate deflection from the player, Joe Gaetjens,” Bert recalled.

“I don’t remember a lot of the game because I didn’t have that much to do, but from a shot on the edge of the 18-yard box, the ball hit Joe on the head and I had no chance.”

He added: “I was never allowed to forget it because when I went out later people would say ‘Did you play in the game against the USA?’.”

At the time England were considered “the kings of football,” but Bert said it was a defeat which killed the spirit of the hugely favoured team.

And the former Wolves stopper today urged England not to repeat the error.

“Don’t go out and be too confident, try to forget the humiliation,” he said.

“Treat it as an extremely important match and don’t think it’s going to be a walkover.

“Try not to make that mistake.”

He believes that all three of England’s keepers are up to the job – David James has the experience, but, with youth on his side, Bert says Shropshire stopper Joe Hart won’t be rattled if he gets the nod.