From Hand of God to Goal of the Century, Maradona’s masterpiece at 40 | OneFootball

Four decades on, 22 June 1986 at the Azteca remains one of the most analysed World Cup matches, Argentina against England in the quarter-finals. In the second half Diego Maradona produced two moments that reshaped football history, one notorious, the other unforgettable.

According to Superdeporte, Falklands tensions hovered in the build-up yet faded once the whistle blew. Played at midday in Mexico City, Maradona later said Argentina were better prepared for heat and 2,200 metres after a long stay, while England had come from Monterrey at 500 metres.

On 51 minutes, after a broken one-two with Valdano, Hodge lofted the ball towards Shilton. Maradona anticipated, leapt and punched it in with his hand. Referee Bennaceur consulted assistant Dotchev, the flag stayed down, and the goal stood as Maradona wheeled away.

Sergio Batista reached him first and asked if it was handled. Maradona told him to keep celebrating. He later insisted he felt no remorse, calling it legitimate because the referee validated it, and he won a court case against a paper that called him repentant.

His second that day is widely described as the World Cup’s greatest goal, a slaloming run burnished by Víctor Hugo Morales’s commentary. For many observers, it softened the outrage that followed the first.

There had been a glimpse in 1980 at Wembley, when a 19-year-old Maradona beat defenders then dragged his finish wide, drawing an ovation for the great non-goal. At home, his younger brother criticised the finish and Maradona replied that he was Maradona, not God.

Source: Superdeporte