The World Cup of Maradona
The 1986 World Cup in Mexico, known as the World Cup of Maradona, was a tournament full of unforgettable moments, emotions, and football legends. Held again in Mexico, as in 1970, this championship brought with it a series of memorable events that were etched in the history of football.
Highlights of the Tournament
Participants and Fun Facts
The tournament featured 24 teams, distributed across Europe, America, Africa, and Asia:
Europe (14 teams)
- West Germany
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Denmark
- Scotland
- Spain
- France
- Hungary
- Northern Ireland
- England
- Italy
- Poland
- Portugal
- USSR
America (6 teams)
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- Mexico
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
Africa (2 teams)
- Algeria
- Morocco
Asia (2 teams)
- South Korea
- Iraq
This World Cup popularized the famous "wave" in the stands, a celebration that spread worldwide.
Great Players
Some of the standout stars of the tournament were:
- Emilio Butragueño (Spain), with his memorable four-goal performance against Denmark.
- Michel Platini (France), the leader of his team.
- Sócrates and Zico (Brazil), although they missed penalties.
- Diego Maradona (Argentina), who made the difference in key moments.
Decisive Penalties
This World Cup was known for the numerous matches that were decided by penalty shootouts:
- France eliminated Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout.
- Germany eliminated Mexico, the host nation, also in a penalty shootout.
- Belgium knocked out Spain in another exciting finish.
The "Hand of God" and the Goal of the Century
One of the most remembered moments was the match between Argentina and England in the quarterfinals:
- The "Hand of God": Maradona opened the scoring with a controversial goal where he used his hand to send the ball into the net. He later claimed he had done it with "the hand of God." Despite television replays revealing the foul, the goal was not disallowed.
- The Goal of the Century: Shortly after, Maradona scored one of the most iconic goals in football history. He dribbled the ball from midfield, bypassing players like Reid, Stevens, Butcher, and Fenwick, before finally beating goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Argentina won 2-1; the other goal was scored by Gary Lineker for England.
Semifinals
- Germany vs. France: Germany won 2-0 against France, avenging the controversial match in 1982 in Spain, when Schumacher severely injured Battiston.
- Argentina vs. Belgium: Argentina easily defeated Belgium 2-0, with Maradona as the star, securing their place in the final.
The Final: Argentina 3-2 Germany
The final was an exciting match between Argentina and Germany:
- Argentina's Goals: José Luis Brown opened the scoring, followed by Jorge Valdano, making it 2-0.
- Germany's Reaction: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Völler equalized the match 2-2, raising the tension.
- Decisive Goal: In the final minutes, Maradona made a perfect pass to Jorge Burruchaga, who scored the decisive goal to make it 3-2. Argentina won their second World Cup.
Figures of the World Cup
- Diego Maradona (Argentina): Considered the best player of the tournament for his brilliant performance.
- Gary Lineker (England): Top scorer with 6 goals.
- Emilio Butragueño (Spain): His memorable performance against Denmark highlighted him among the greats.
Final Standings
- Argentina: Champion
- Germany: Runner-up
- France: Third place
- Belgium: Fourth place
This World Cup not only solidified Maradona as a football legend but also left unforgettable moments that remain a reference in the history of the sport.
