England and the infamous ‘Hand of God’
No England fan would have not heard about the Hand of God, the infamous goal by Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup, reports BritPanorama.
The Three Lions faced a rocky start to the tournament, losing 1-0 to Poland and drawing 0-0 with Morocco. However, a crucial hat-trick from Gary Lineker against Poland propelled England into the knockout stages, followed by a commanding 3-0 victory over Paraguay in the round of 16.
This impressive run set up a high-stakes quarter-final match against Argentina, where Maradona would leave an indelible mark on football history.
Six minutes into the second half, Maradona surged forward and played a pass to Jorge Valdano. In an attempt to bypass several English defenders, Valdano’s pass was intercepted and deflected back by Steve Hodge. As the ball rose into the air, Maradona positioned himself within the penalty area to challenge England’s goalkeeper, Peter Shilton.
In the ensuing moment, Shilton leapt for the ball, but Maradona, notably shorter, reached up with his left hand to knock it into the net. The Argentine scored in front of a seething English squad, prompting protests from players who surrounded the referee. Tunisian official Ali Ben Nasser initially awarded the goal but later conferred with his linesman, ultimately maintaining the decision amid the uproar.
Maradona’s controversial goal ignited further drama as he then netted what is often termed the “goal of the century,” dazzlingly weaving through four English defenders after a remarkable 60-yard run to double Argentina’s lead.
Though Lineker pulled one back for England, it was not enough to alter the outcome, with Argentina advancing to win the tournament. The infamous moment encapsulated both the brilliance and the contentious nature of the sport, as Maradona showcased dazzling dexterity alongside a cloud of controversy.
Nineteen years later, Maradona openly admitted to handling the ball for his first goal. In an apology to Shilton, the goalkeeper responded that it was too late for such regrets.
In a significant turn of fate, Maradona’s match-worn shirt, which he exchanged with Hodge post-game, was auctioned years later for an astonishing £7.1 million—a record for sports memorabilia, highlighting the enduring legacy of that fateful day in Mexico.
In football, as in life, moments of brilliance often come entwined with episodes of contention, reminding us how the game and its heroes can evoke a mix of admiration and dispute among fans.
