Over the last 150 years or so, millions of minutes of football are played on earth, but on this day, 22nd June, of 1986, the world saw two of the most famous goals in space of just four minutes and both scored by the same man.
Diego Maradona, arguably the finest footballer world has ever produced showed both sides of his character on that day in Azteca Stadium of Mexico, where he scored the most controversial goal and the ‘best goal of the century.’
The occasion itself was very important as Argentina and England, two great rivals on and off the pitch locked horns in their quarterfinal clash of the World Cup 1986. The air of Falklands War, which took place in 1982 between the nations, was still fresh and the football rivalry that started in 1966 following a feud between the sides in their World Cup match in England, was alive.
After a goalless first half, when England goalkeeper Peter Shilton made a few good saves, the second half saw the most debatable goal ever in the 51st minute of the game.
In 2002, the second goal by Diego Maradona against England in 1986 World Cup was
voted ‘Goal of the Century’
Argentines made a good build up play from the halfway line of their own area. After a few one-twos, Maradona cut inside from the left before passing a diagonal ball to Jorge Valdano. However, the pass was slightly behind and as Valdano tried to reach it, English defender Steve Hodge tried to clear it. But the ball was popped in the air and Maradona, the ever alert footballer, who did not stop his run, went for it. Meanwhile, 6 feet 1 inch tall Shilton came off the block to fist the ball away but 5 feet 5 inches tall Maradona jumped over him to send the ball home.
English players straightway protested claiming the Argentine used his hand, as it was later proved through photographs and videos from different angles, but Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser gave the verdict in favour of the diminutive man.
During the post match reaction Maradona said the goal was scored – “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” Ever since, the goal is known as the ‘hand of God’ and controversies are still regularly popped up. In 2019, at the documentary titled “Diego Maradona”, which was directed by Asif Kapadia, the great footballer said the goal satisfied him as he took that as revenge of Falklands War defeat.
But, over 100 thousand spectators in field and millions at Television were mesmerized four minutes later when the number 10 of Argentina scored the most stunning individual goal.
Maradona received the ball in his own half from midfielder Hector Enrique and started a mad dash of 60 yards that needed 10 seconds. And during those seconds he got past English players Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher (twice) and Terry Fenwick with the full control of the ball. And when he reached closer to his familiar foe Shilton, the maestro made a faint that left Shilton on his bottom and he slotted the ball home with the most artistic left foot of football history to create the most illustrious page in footballing folklore.
In 2002, the goal was voted 'Goal of the Century' as part of the buildup to the 2002 FIFA World Cup tournament on the FIFA website but the impact is even higher.
Maradona is still the most popular name around the world and Iglesia Maradoniana, the church of Maradona was found in 1998 at the 38th birthday of the footballer. It is known there are at least 200 thousand members in that church and the number is ever increasing. There are millions of people who still get stunned memorizing the legacy of the great man.
Mehedi Hassan Sujan, a sports journalist of Bangladesh is one of them who devotes large part of his live to research and enjoy Maradona's legacy.
"If someone wants to explain the myth of Maradona, it’s enough to refer his performance against England in that match. For those two goals he is loved and also hated. Though the first goal was a bit of cheating and also involve cunning attitude, the second goal encapsulates football and the beauty of the game," said Sujan to Dhaka Tribune.
Even after 34 years of that mesmerizing day, people are still spellbound with the magic of the footballing God that blessed the world.
