A football player’s career can at times be condensed and often, encapsulated in one defining moment; a moment of sheer brilliance, or absolute madness. Great players often go down in history books having conjured moments like these a few times in their career, a career which spans a decade or two. Of the most prominent ones attributed to him, Diego Maradona had two. In the same game. Two moments in the same game which made him eternal in the eyes of football aficionados.
“half-angel, half-devil” – L’Equipe on Maradona after the quarter final vs England
Madness, quite clearly, was what Maradona did for Argentina’s first goal. It started with a driving run from midfield, Maradona went past two players, passing the ball to Jorge Valdano, and continued his run in the hope of a return ball. The pass was slightly wayward and it found England’s left midfielder, Steve Hodge’s awkward clearance which flighted the ball towards goal and Maradona’s hopeful run conjured an opportunity to give Argentina the lead. Maradona leapt into the air to challenge the rushing keeper Peter Shilton, and a divine intervention helped him score one of the most disputed goals ever scored.
“un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios”
“a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”
– post match conference: Maradona
If that wasn’t enough to define El Diego for what he was, what Maradona did 4 minutes later was truly astounding. After receiving the ball from Hector Enrique at the center of the park in his own half, Maradona started a 60m run, mesmerizing world football. Weaving through Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher (twice) and Terry Fenwick, Maradona slotted the ball past Peter Shilton to score the Goal of the Century. People often compare Messi’s goal vs Getafe to this goal. However, it is important to consider that Maradona scored this gem of a goal against one of the best English sides ever.
I’ll let you guys enjoy the two goals for what they were.
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9 minutes from normal time, England got a consolation goal via Gary Linekar as Argentina went through to the quarters.
The 1986 World Cup was one graced with immense quality. Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Socrates, Rudi Voller, Jorge Valdano, Lothar Mattheus, Rummenigge, Gary Linekar, Josimar, Careca, Peter Beardsley and a young Michael Laudrup to name a few.
There were a lot of key moments during this World Cup. After drawing 1-1 against France, Brazil went out of the tournament in a penalty shoot-out; Socrates and Michel Platini famously missed their penalties (Yes, yes, the cliched – all the great players, have all missed penalties). Zico even had a penalty saved in normal time.
In a group of Uruguay, West Germany and Scotland, Denmark finished finished on top of the group, beating everyone in the process; most notably, a 6-1 win over Uruguay. However, they were later hammered 5-1 by a formidable Spanish side and crashed out of the tournament.
After topping their group, Argentina beat Uruguay, England and Belgium to reach the final. Meanwhile, West Germany, on their way to the final beat Morocco, Mexico and France. The FIFA World Cup 1986 final was played at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. About a 115,000 people witnessed one of the best finals in World Cup history.
In the first half, Argentina took the lead via Jose Brown as he rose above the German defence to head home a Burruchaga freekick. At the start of the second half, Hector Enrique released Jorge Valdano on goal, who calmly slotted the ball past the German keeper to double Argentina’s lead. Argentina looked comfortable in lead and a second world cup title was beckoning until a few substitutions were made by the Germans.
Franz Beckenbauer brought on Rudi Voller and Dieter Hoeness for Allofs and Magath, who completely changed the game. A resilient German side fought back as Rudi Voller found Karl Rummenigge who scored in the 74th minute. Rudi Voller was later on the scoring end as he brought West Germany level after scoring from a Thomas Berthold corner.
The game looked like it needed extra time to separate the two teams – until Diego Armando Maradona released Jorge Burruchaga to score what turned out to be the eventual winner. As captain, Maradona’s inspiration throughout the tournament helped Argentina lift their 2nd world cup. France and Belgium took 3rd and 4th spot. Diego Maradona was awarded the Golden Ball whereas Gary Linekar was awarded the Golden boot for scoring 6 goals in the tournament.
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1986 and 1982. It was a pivotal point in time. Despite playing impressively through two campaigns, West Germany had lost their second consecutive World Cup final.
Eternal chokers, or were they?
Gaurang is a part of the @Football_P family. You can follow him at @TheTotalLFC
