The 1986 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and England is perhaps one of the most famous FIFA World Cup clashes in history.
Featuring two countries, who just four years before were at war, it also featured arguably the best player in the world at the time in the form of Diego Maradona.
He was never one to shy away from the limelight, and he was front and centre at the Azteca Stadium, scoring both what was later voted as ‘the goal of the century’ as well as a goal dubbed ‘the Hand of God’.
The Sporting News looks back at the most infamous goal in World Cup history, and its relevance in football today.
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What is the Diego Maradona Hand of God?
Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal occurred six minutes into the second half of the match with the scores locked at 0-0.
Maradona began waltzing his way through the England defence, before attempting a pass to a teammate.
The teammate failed to control the pass but an England defender got his foot to it causing the ball to loop high into the air towards an onrushing Maradona and England keeper Peter Shilton.
Whilst most expected Shilton to beat the diminutive Maradona to the ball, the Argentine instead punched the ball with his left hand past the despairing keeper who had moved to punch the ball himself.
Maradona instantly wheeled away in celebration and the Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur awarded the goal despite vehement protests from the England players who clearly saw the handball.
Maradona would score another famous goal just five minutes later with a slaloming run from his own half that was later voted the goal of the century, and despite England pulling a goal back late on, Maradona’s goals would help secure Argentina’s passage to the semifinals.
An unforgettable goal 🧐
Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England will forever go down in #FIFAWorldCup history 🇦🇷
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 11, 2022
What year was Hand of God goal?
The Hand of God goal occurred at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, which many have now dubbed the Maradona World Cup due to his actions.
On top of the two goals scored in that quarterfinal, he was also in his prime and captain of an Argentina side that would eventually win the tournament.
La Albiceleste defeated Belgium 2-0 in the semifinals, with Maradona once again scoring a second-half double, before they defeated West Germany in the final 4-2.
It was Argentina’s second and to date last World Cup win, and Maradona was later named best player of the tournament as he scored five goals and assisted five more.
Did Maradona admit it was a hand ball?
The name for the goal, ‘Hand of God’ actually comes from a famous interview Maradona gave directly after the match.
When asked by journalists how he scored his first goal, he replied, “A little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the Hand of God”.
He also claimed that he ordered his teammates to come and celebrate with him, as he was afraid the referee would disallow the goal if he celebrated on his own.
In an Argentinian TV program in 2005 he once again confessed that he used his hand to score the goal, with that being seen as his form of an apology to the England team.
Many people, including England keeper Shilton, rejected his apology though, saying that it had come far too late. Maradona a few days later came out in an article and stated it wasn’t an apology, more of a statement that the past cannot be changed.
Hand of God video and picture
Below is a video of the Hand of God goal:
A Mexican photographer was also stationed behind the goal where the Hand of God occurred, and he managed to snap a now famous picture of the moment Maradona makes contact with the ball with Shilton reaching for the ball.
Hand of God ball record auction
In recent times, two items from this game have become notable due to their involvements in auctions.
The jersey that Maradona wore in this match earlier in 2022 sold for a staggering US$9.2 million at auction through Sotheby’s. Maradona originally exchanged the shirt with England defender Steve Hodge after the game, whose inadvertent touch of the ball put the ball in Maradona’s path.
And just last week, The Guardian reported that the ball, which previously belonged to the Tunisian referee, had failed to sell at auction despite an offer of £2 million (approximately US$2.3 million), though it is believed negotiations between sellers and a buyer are in progress and should meet a resolution soon.
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