In the summer of 1986, Gary Lineker proved himself to be the most clinical centre-forward around.

He had actually not scored in the four games that had preceded that year's World Cup and had also failed to find the net in the first two group matches, but in the next three outings that followed prior to England's exit, the number 10 fired in six goals to claim the Golden Boot award.

It was form that the Barcelona frontman carried into the opening Euro 1988 qualifier against Northern Ireland, which was played at Wembley twenty-nine years ago today.

Norn Iron made the trip across the Irish Sea with a poor record against their English counterparts, having not won any of the previous 15 meetings between the two nations. It was a run that dated back to a British Championships encounter in 1972 when player-manager Terry Neill scored the only goal of the game.

The visitors held their own during the opening exchanges of this particular fixture, but their resistance was broken in the 33rd minute by a trademark Lineker goal.

A Glenn Hoddle corner from the right was nodded down by a leaping Dave Watson and Lineker was alert to sweep the ball beyond goalkeeper Phil Hughes from six yards out.

However, any feelings that the floodgates would now be open were soon extinguished by the away side, who defended well to frustrate Bobby Robson's men.

Indeed, it was not until the 75th minute that the Three Lions ensured that their qualifying campaign would get off to a winning start. Steve Hodge's winding run into the Ireland penalty area was halted by Hughes, but when the ball rebounded for Peter Beardsley, his shot was deflected for Chris Waddle to score his third international goal.

With the three points now safe, England - thanks to Lineker - went on to put further gloss on the scoreline with 10 minutes left to play.

The combination of Beardsley and Lineker would be profitable for England for years to come - something that was highlighted here when the former threaded a pass through for the latter. From there, Lineker held off the challenge from Ireland captain John McClelland, before he beat Hughes for a second time with a clever chipped effort that squeezed inside the near post.

It took his goal tally for England to 14 on what was only his 19th senior cap.

England: Shilton; Samson, Butcher Watson, Anderson; Hoddle, Robson, Hodge, Waddle; Beardsley (Cottee), Lineker

Ireland: Hughes; Fleming, McClelland, McDonald, Worthington; Donaghy, Campbell, Penney (Quinn), Stewart; Whiteside (McIlroy), Clarke