Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal still talked about 40 years on
Forty years on from Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England in Mexico City on 22 June 1986, the BBC revisits one of football's most debated moments through eyewitnesses on the pitch and historians of the sport.
On the 40th anniversary of Diego Maradona's « Hand of God » goal at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca on 22 June 1986, the BBC has gathered testimony from players on the pitch, the refereeing team and journalists who covered the match. Maradona's punched-in handball goal, followed four minutes later by the so-called « Goal of the Century », carried Argentina past England and on to the World Cup final.
In fresh interviews, England midfielder Glenn Hoddle said « every player saw what happened, but the referee waved play on ». Tunisian linesman Ali Bin Nasser told the BBC at length for the first time that « the move was fast and I trusted the striker ». Argentina forward Jorge Valdano recalled the political weight of the moment as « the Malvinas wound being voiced on a pitch ».
The match is still remembered very differently in England and Argentina. Since Maradona's death in 2020, the Argentine football federation has held annual commemorations at the Azteca; this year family members and former team-mates gathered at the stadium. The number-ten shirt has not been formally retired by the national team but is treated by selectors as carrying special status.
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