On a scorching Sunday afternoon in Mexico City, a quarter-final showdown unfolded between two historical adversaries, marking their first World Cup encounter in two decades. This match was steeped in rivalry, both in sport and national sentiment. The stakes were high, and the atmosphere was electric, with the anticipation of Rattín’s Revenge or, as some tabloids dubbed it, Falklands II.
1) Just prior to kick-off, rather than focusing on the players warming up under the sweltering sun, the Mexican TV director opted to showcase a shirtless man downing the last of a beer while puffing on a cigar, caught between which indulgence to enjoy first. This amusing scene offered a glimpse into the relaxed vibe at the Azteca Stadium, with fans in jovial spirits. The Argentina team even presented each England player with a personal pennant, a charming display of sportsmanship amidst the backdrop of tensions from the Malvinas conflict.
2) In the moments leading up to kick-off, the referee and his assistants lingered in the shade of the center circle, perhaps wishing the stadium’s sound system could amplify the excitement even further. A clever move by referee Ali Ben Nasser from Tunisia; he knew it would take more than a midday game to catch him off guard!
3) At the 13-minute mark, a spectacular moment of individual skill emerged, one of the best seen throughout the 1986 tournament. Glenn Hoddle delivered a long ball down the right flank for Peter Beardsley, but it was slightly too strong. Nery Pumpido, the Argentina goalkeeper, rushed out to intercept but miscalculated his run, slipping as he tried to adjust. The ball ricocheted off his leg and into the open, where Beardsley, undeterred, pounced on it. With a captivating display of agility, he feigned left, sending Pumpido skidding off the pitch, only to whip a powerful shot towards the unprotected goal. Unfortunately for England, it hit the side netting, just inches away from a dazzling goal.
4) The match experienced an absurd two-minute delay just before halftime when Diego Maradona prepared to take a corner on the right, only to find his path obstructed by photographers sprawled along the byline. Realizing that moving them would require considerable effort, Maradona instead opted to reposition the corner pole. However, linesman Berny Ulloa Morera insisted he replace the pole. After a comedic back-and-forth, with Morera requesting adjustments, Maradona finally managed to clear the photographers’ path. But in a twist of fate, his corner kick went straight into Peter Shilton’s hands, resulting in an anticlimactic moment. The crowd of 114,580 wondered how many had come to witness Morera rather than Maradona.
5) Throughout the stands, usherettes roamed with trays holding up to 15 ready-poured beers, providing exceptional service.
6) The BBC commentary duo, Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill, were not at their best during this first half. While Davies was a seasoned commentator, Hill seemed to have lost his touch, often taking jabs at FIFA’s decision to appoint a referee from Tunisia. Davies remarked that Tunisia was an “emerging nation,” which would surprise the locals of Tunis, a city established in the fourth century BC. Despite Ben Nasser’s own missteps, his errors had nothing to do with his nationality, contrasting with the unchallenged selection of a linesman from Azerbaijan during the infamous 1966 World Cup.
7) To be fair, much of their commentary could be excused considering the lackluster quality of the opening half. Argentina controlled the ball but struggled to create significant chances, while Maradona appeared to be the only spark amidst the dullness.
8) Aside from Peter von Teese’s mesmerizing performance, England’s display was dire. Terry Fenwick launched a wild shot from 40 yards that sailed high. Just before halftime, Gary Lineker barely touched the ball, shoving it out of play down the right. At another point, Steve Hodge, attempting to clear the ball, inadvertently kicked it backwards into his own area.
9) Fenwick’s performance was particularly embarrassing. He fouled Maradona in the ninth minute, earning a yellow card, and later found himself on the ground as Maradona glided past him. Just before halftime, he elbowed Maradona in a reckless off-the-ball incident that warranted a red card, yet he remained on the pitch.
10) During halftime, news broke that Tele Santana, the idealistic coach of Brazil, had resigned following their loss to France in a classic quarter-final. This event symbolized a shift in football, as the advocates for the beautiful game faced challenges from modern tactics. The future of improvisational brilliance in international football seemed uncertain.
The Game Takes a Turn
With the score still 0-0 at halftime, the second half promised excitement, primarily due to one man’s blatant disregard for the rules of football. Just five minutes after the restart, Fenwick struck Maradona on the head while challenging for a ball in the center circle. He would foul Maradona again on the 66th minute and then brought down Jorge Valdano with a reckless tackle as the last man. In total, Fenwick could have easily faced dismissal on multiple occasions during this match.
Maradona’s response to the relentless fouling is debatable. If one believes that systematic fouling serves as an ironic compliment to talent, then Maradona had indeed reached the summit of recognition. The treatment of football legends through history shows a pattern: Pelé was harassed in 1966, Johan Cruyff faced similar treatment in 1974, and Ferenc Puskas endured brutality in 1954. Yet, Maradona’s encounters on the grand stage were notably severe, particularly from Fenwick in this match.
The persistent fouling evidently spurred Maradona to employ some trickery of his own. While some might argue that a handball is morally reprehensible, it seems a lesser offense compared to violent tackles. Unfortunately for England, Maradona’s cunning was far superior, leading to a pivotal moment just six minutes after the second half began.
The Infamous Hand of God
In an unfortunate twist, Steve Hodge failed to learn from his earlier mistakes. The Aston Villa midfielder sent a high, looping ball into his own penalty area, where Maradona expertly used his left fist to nudge the ball over the bewildered Peter Shilton and into the net. Maradona sprinted towards the corner flag to celebrate, glancing back briefly to see if the referee had noticed the foul play. Amid the chaos, Shilton was left waving his arms in disbelief, while Fenwick confronted the referee, mimicking an exaggerated appeal.
No one emerged from this situation unscathed—Maradona, Shilton, Hodge, Fenwick, and even referee Ali Ben Nasser all faced criticism for the monumental blunder. It’s difficult to assess the footage of this goal without bias, knowing what was about to unfold. Yet, the BBC commentary during the incident serves as a historical record of first impressions.
“They’re appealing for offside, but the ball came back off the boot of Steve Hodge,” remarked Barry Davies, baffled by the frantic gestures from Shilton, Fenwick, and Terry Butcher towards the referee. It took another 32 seconds and two replays for the gravity of the situation to set in. “At what point was he offside? Or was it a handball that England are complaining about?” Davies pondered.
Despite his earlier missteps, Davies maintained his professionalism, refraining from jumping to conclusions on live television. It was another two minutes before he reported that press members closer to England’s goal had no doubts about the handball. “They have little doubt that it was a hand that put the ball past the England goalkeeper,” he informed viewers, highlighting the confusion that plagued Ali Ben Nasser in making a real-time decision.
Ultimately, the score told the story: Maradona 1, Fenwick 0. This is the consequence of underestimating a masterful player.
Though Maradona’s actions were undoubtedly cheeky, it’s vital to recognize the brilliance that preceded the goal. Maradona received a pass from Julio Olarticoechea, danced around Hoddle, Reid, and Fenwick, and drew defenders before making a deft pass to Valdano, setting off a chain of events that culminated in the goal.
A Moment of Pure Genius
Maradona’s extraordinary skill was on full display as he transitioned from defense to attack. With England still reeling, Hoddle squandered possession in the middle of the pitch. The ball was quickly sent to Maradona, who was positioned near the center circle. He turned, evaded Beardsley and Reid, and surged forward with intent. As he approached the penalty area, he skillfully sidestepped Fenwick and drew Shilton out of position. The keeper, attempting to block the shot, was outmaneuvered by Maradona, who rounded him and calmly slotted the ball into the open net. This goal was so magnificent that it erased any questions of morality regarding his earlier handball, solidifying Maradona’s legacy just as the game craved a new improvisational star.
Davies, having regained his footing, delivered one of the most memorable lines in commentary history: “You have to say that’s magnificent! Pure football genius.” It was an unforgettable moment of commentary brilliance.
The remainder of the match unfolded in a peculiar manner. Argentina eased off the pressure, while England struggled to respond. Hoddle, having underperformed initially, finally showed signs of life, creating a chance for Beardsley with a low cross, but it was only with the introduction of John Barnes that England began to threaten. Barnes’s confident run down the left set up a goal for Lineker with nine minutes remaining. After Carlos Tapia hit the left post, Argentina managed to hold on, securing a victory that felt deserved.
With this win, Argentina reclaimed their national pride following the Falklands conflict, triumphing over England once again. The match tied together the narratives of past confrontations, echoing the famous incident from 1966 when Alf Ramsey had denied a shirt exchange between players. This time, however, Hodge, the man responsible for Maradona’s handball, exchanged shirts with the Argentinian star, a moment filled with irony.
Scott Murray, alongside Rob Smyth, co-authored ‘And Gazza Misses The Final,’ chronicling the history of the World Cup through memorable moments.
