Memories of the 1986 World Cup: when Argentina faced England in the "Hand of God" match
Ahead of their upcoming 2026 World Cup semi-final, we look back at the legendary 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, remembered for the two most famous goals in the competition's history, both scored by Diego Maradona.
Just days before their upcoming semi-final at the 2026 World Cup, football memory turns back to one of the most famous matches in the competition's history: the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, played on June 22, 1986 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The match came just four years after the Falklands War between the two countries, giving it a political and emotional weight that went far beyond the pitch.
The "Hand of God"
In the 51st minute, Diego Maradona scored a controversial goal with his left hand, jumping alongside England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to punch the ball into the empty net, with none of the match officials spotting the handball. Afterwards, Maradona famously described the goal as being scored "a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God."
The "Goal of the Century"
Just four minutes later, Maradona scored one of the greatest goals in football history, dribbling past five England players from the halfway line before beating goalkeeper Shilton. The goal was later voted "Goal of the Century" in a poll run by FIFA's official website in 2002.
Gary Lineker pulled one back for England in the 81st minute, but Argentina held on to win 2-1, before going on to lift the 1986 World Cup with victory over West Germany in the final.
Four decades later, Argentina and England meet again in the 2026 World Cup semi-final on July 15, in a clash steeped in history and memory.
