FIFA World Cup 1986: The 1982 Spain World Cup brought disappointment for Maradona. Argentina could not defend the title, they were defeated by Brazil. Maradona himself left the field with a red card. The world had seen his talent but not his greatness. Critics felt that his ability was extraordinary but he still did not have the impact of Pele. Over the next four years, Maradona prepared answers to all these questions. He reached the Italian club Naples and not only played football there but also became the face of hopes of an entire city. Poor and neglected southern Italy began to regard him as their hero. During this period his game became more mature. Now he was not just a dribbler but had become a leader who changed the direction of the entire match.
which did not stop even after the earthquake
The 1986 World Cup was to be held in Mexico. Colombia was originally scheduled to host, but withdrew due to economic reasons and Mexico became the first country to host twice. In September 1985, there was a terrible earthquake in Mexico in which thousands of people died. Still, Mexico did not give up and successfully organized the World Cup on time.
When the world was looking for a new hero
Football was in a period of change at that time. Pelé’s era was over, Cruyff was away from the World Cup, Beckenbauer had now become the coach. Brazil had the talent, France had Michel Platini, Germany had the discipline. But gradually all the light started narrowing on one name – Diego Armando Maradona. For the first time in this tournament, the spectators started the ‘Mexican Wave’ in the stadium, the mass wave that is still seen in every stadium today.
A player around whom the entire strategy was built
Before the tournament, Argentina was not considered a big contender. There were good players in the team, but the real strength was Maradona. Coach Carlos Bilardo had built the entire strategy around him, simple formula, get the ball to Maradona, let him decide. Argentina played well in the group stage. Maradona was leaving an impact in every match.
England vs Argentina: not just football
They had to face England in the quarter-finals and this match went on to become the most talked about match in the history of the World Cup. The background was not just football. In 1982 there was a war between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands, small but very emotional. The tension was still alive so this match was not just a game, it became a fight for national honor for millions of people. Argentina did not even have the correct jersey before the match. The Mexican heat required a light jersey. The staff bought the blue jerseys from the market just three days ago, the housewives ironed them overnight and pasted the numbers.
“Hand of God”
22 June 1986, Azteca Stadium. The first half passed without a goal. In the second half came the moment that gave rise to football’s biggest debate. Maradona leaps into the air with goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The ball went into the goal and the referee gave a goal. TV replays clearly showed that the ball had hit his hand but the decision could not be changed. Tunisian referee Ali bin Nasser later said that he had not seen it clearly. He trusted the linesman’s signal. Maradona himself later said that the goal came “a little from Maradona’s head, a little from the hand of God.” This is where the name, “Hand of God” comes from. Some called it cleverness, some called it cheating, the debate has not stopped till date.
goal of the century
Just four minutes later, the same Maradona again ran from his half with the ball. One, two, three, four, then five English players were left behind. The goalkeeper also crossed, and the ball went into the net. It was not just a goal, it was an explosion of individual skill, a run of about sixty metres, a few seconds of magic. English commentator Barry Davis said at that moment, ‘It has to be acknowledged, this is a marvel of pure genius.’ Maradona covered 60 meters in just 10.8 seconds, took 44 steps, and touched the ball 12 times in the meantime.
FIFA later called it the “Goal of the Century”. The most controversial goal and the greatest goal in history, both scored by the same player, within a few minutes of each other, in the same match. Maybe this will never happen again.
A lonely storm heading towards the final
Argentina won the match 2–1. Maradona was no longer just a player but had become a legend. He also scored two brilliant goals against Belgium in the semi-finals, and the team reached the final. In this tournament, England’s Gary Lineker scored 6 goals and won the Golden Boot, but every discussion was limited to the magic of Maradona.
Final: Germany’s comeback, and one last pass
29 June 1986, Azteca Stadium, final. Argentina took a 2-0 lead and it seemed the match was over. But Germany has always been one of the most fighting teams, they scored two goals, 2-2. The pressure was at its peak. That’s when Maradona did what great players are known for. To stop them, coach Beckenbauer deployed his most dangerous young player Lothar Matthäus, who kept up tight marking throughout the match. But in the 84th minute, Maradona got just one second of freedom, and he made that historic pass to Jorge Burruchaga. Buruchaga scored, Argentina ahead 3–2. A few minutes later the final whistle blew, Argentina were world champions, and Maradona became the undisputed king of football.
the world cup that belonged to one man
1986 is called the World Cup of a player and not of any team. Just as 1958 was for Pelé, 1986 was for Maradona. The difference is that Pele’s story was one of beauty and joy, Maradona’s story was one of rebellion, struggle and controversy. He was not perfect, not flawless, and perhaps that is why he seemed like them to millions of people. He was not God, he was a human being with extraordinary abilities. In that tournament he scored 5 goals and assisted 5 goals, meaning that 10 of Argentina’s total of 14 goals came directly from his feet.
which remained incomplete
Even today, when we talk about the greatest individual performance in the World Cup, the name of 1986 comes at the top. Maradona did not just score goals, he wrote the story of that entire World Cup with his feet. But like every great story, there was an incompleteness in it too. The World Cup will return after four years, Maradona will also return, still great, but circumstances will have changed. A World Cup will be played on Italian soil in which there will be more tension than joy, more strategy than goals, and where Maradona will once again be seen standing at the center of history.
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