When I embarked on my first television assignment with ITV during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, I never anticipated that I would be part of an iconic match that would forever remain etched in memory. The clash between England and Argentina at the Azteca Stadium, witnessed by 114,000 spectators, was marked by Diego Maradona’s extraordinary contributions, featuring both the most controversial goal in World Cup history and an unforgettable masterpiece.
The atmosphere leading up to the match was equally memorable. Traffic in Mexico City was notoriously congested, making even short trips feel prolonged, and encounters with corrupt local officers were a common annoyance, as they often sought bribes from drivers.
Fans filled the stadium long before kick-off, creating a buzzing sound reminiscent of a massive swarm of bees. Martin Tyler, ITV’s commentator, and I had to ascend high into the gantry to reach our commentary spot.
Having just defeated Paraguay at the Azteca, England entered the match with a robust lineup: Peter Shilton guarded the goal, Terry Butcher anchored the defense, Glenn Hoddle orchestrated midfield, and Gary Lineker led the attack. Our talented wingers, Chris Waddle and John Barnes, struggled to secure their positions on the pitch.
Given the altitude, I was concerned about our midfield’s ability to recover quickly. In such conditions, making rapid recovery runs is a challenge; hence, it’s crucial to let the ball do the work.
England managed to hold their ground during the first half, but early in the second half came Maradona’s legendary moments. For the infamous “Maradona gets amazing elevation on his balls from the tightest of angles.” goal, the consensus is that he acted intentionally, but I believe Maradona, fearing a collision with Shilton, raised his arm instinctively, and the ball struck his hand before finding the net. Without any indication of a foul from the linesman or the referee, he seized the opportunity to bask in the glory of a blatant act of cheating.
Immediately, the England players surged towards referee Ali Ben Nasser to voice their protests. The Tunisian official never officiated another World Cup match, but he did take the ball home as a memento.
Shortly after Maradona’s first goal, he netted a spectacular second, weaving past defenders Reid and Peter Beardsley, then Butcher and Terry Fenwick, before slotting the ball past Shilton. There were no grounds for protests this time; it was undeniably one of the greatest goals ever scored and the finest I have witnessed live, surpassing Gareth Bale’s overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League final and Son Heung-min’s remarkable run against Burnley.
Bobby Robson made tactical changes, introducing Waddle and Barnes, and a flicker of hope emerged when Lineker headed in a brilliant cross from Barnes. However, England’s journey ended in disappointment, and Bobby, typically so composed, confronted the referee in a visibly agitated state during a post-match interview. For me, this game also included my most embarrassing commentary blunder when Maradona, from the byline, sent a ball to the back post and I remarked, “Maradona gets amazing elevation on his balls from the tightest of angles.”
The quarter-finals also featured teams like Brazil, Mexico, and major European nations such as Spain, Belgium, France, and West Germany alongside Argentina and England. While we are still uncertain if any African teams will reach the last eight in this World Cup, their level of play has undeniably improved over the past 40 years.
Several notable changes have occurred since then. In 1986, the English television crew stayed in the same complex as the team in Saltillo, just an hour’s drive from Monterrey—a practice that would be unthinkable today. We interacted with the players daily during their downtime by the pool and observed their training sessions.
Moreover, the squad lacked the lavish facilities that are standard today, including well-maintained pitches, top-notch nutrition, and extensive pampering. I recall that some England players who were interested in horse racing arranged for the ITV crew to provide coverage of the Derby during their first two matches. Many players also acquired videos of US races for betting purposes.
Initially, England’s prospects in Mexico appeared bleak. They began the tournament hesitantly, suffering a defeat to Portugal and settling for a draw against Morocco. I remember the English press anticipating a swift return home. At a sponsor’s reception after the second match, they collected their promotional items and enjoyed drinks, believing their journey was nearly over.
Fortunately, Bobby and his esteemed assistant Don Howe adjusted their tactics and formation for the subsequent match against Poland. It’s often said that the players influenced this change. Regardless of the driving force behind it, Lineker etched his name into the memories of fans by scoring a hat-trick in a decisive 3-0 victory.
Following that, confidence surged after the win against Paraguay, but thanks to Maradona, England’s dreams of a semi-final were dashed. I hope that this current team can one day return to the Azteca, overcome Mexico, and finally put the specter of Maradona to rest.
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