From the original nations that entered the 15th World Cup just two remain. And today, with a 12.30pm local time kick-off, they meet in the final. There is live coverage of the match from the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, the vast stadium just seven miles from Los Angeles. Extra-time will be played if the scores are level after 90 minutes, and If there is still no winner the final will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
If there were doubts that the United States, without a national league of their own, should stage football's premier event they have been dispelled after a month of huge attendances, excellent organisation and, above all, superb football.

Before the tournament began Brazil were the favourites, and in Romario they had the man to be potentially the player of the tournament. But Brazil have not been world champions since their brilliant 1970 side won the old Jules Rimet trophy for a third time and were allowed to keep it.

Since then West Germany and Argentina have been the dominant nations, with only Italy's success in 1982, breaking their monopoly. The Germans won on home soil in 1974, Argentina did the same in 1978, while the two countries have contested the last two finals - Argentina winning in 1986 and West Germany in 1990. There must be a change this year with Argentina going out at the second stage.

Coverage of the final is introduced by Desmond Lynam with Jimmy Hill, Terry Venables and Alan Hansen.
Executive producer Malcolm Kemp
Editor Brian Barwick
See This Week page 13
As coverage of the football is live, and extra time could be played, subsequent programmes may run late.