🎯 Top 100 Sporting Moments Series
#99: Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ & ‘Goal of the Century’ – 1986
📍 FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final: Argentina vs England
🏟️ Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
📅 22 June 1986
📊 Full-Time: Argentina 2–1 England
Some sporting moments live forever. Some transcend the sport itself. And some become so iconic that they define an entire era. Diego Maradona’s performance against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup produced all three.
In the space of just four unforgettable minutes, the Argentina captain delivered two of the most famous goals in football history, moments that are still debated, replayed, and talked about nearly four decades later.
This match, this performance, and these two goals earn their place as #2 in our Top 100 Sporting Moments series.
The Stage: World Cup Quarter-Final Drama in Mexico
The quarter-final between Argentina and England was one of the biggest games of the tournament. Played in front of nearly 115,000 fans at the iconic Estadio Azteca, it was a clash between two footballing nations with history, pride, and huge expectations.
Argentina, led by their inspirational captain Diego Maradona, were among the favourites to win the tournament. England, managed by Bobby Robson and featuring stars like Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Glenn Hoddle and Terry Butcher, believed they could go all the way too.
What followed would become one of the most famous matches in World Cup history.
The First Goal: The ‘Hand of God’
In the 51st minute, Maradona burst into the penalty area and challenged England goalkeeper Peter Shilton for a loose ball. The Argentine rose, the ball went into the net, and the referee awarded the goal.
Replays showed the truth, Maradona had punched the ball in with his left hand.
The goal stood.
After the match, Maradona described it as being scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”. The phrase became legendary, and so did the controversy.
To this day, it remains one of the most infamous goals ever scored in football.
The Second Goal: The ‘Goal of the Century’
Just four minutes later, football witnessed something completely different.
Maradona picked up the ball inside his own half and began a run that would become immortal. He dribbled past five England players, left another trailing behind, rounded Peter Shilton, and calmly rolled the ball into the net.
It was later voted the “Goal of the Century” by FIFA.
This was not just a goal. It was a solo masterpiece, showcasing balance, strength, close control, acceleration, and genius. In one breathtaking run, Maradona reminded the world why he is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.
The Final Score and What Happened Next
England pulled one back late in the game through Gary Lineker, but it wasn’t enough.
Full-Time: Argentina 2–1 England.
Argentina marched on to the semi-finals, then the final, where they defeated West Germany 3–2 to lift the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Maradona finished the tournament as captain, leader, and icon, almost single-handedly dragging his nation to world champions, in what is widely regarded as the greatest individual World Cup performance in history.
Four Minutes That Defined a Career and a Tournament
Those four minutes against England perfectly captured the two sides of Diego Maradona.
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The rule-breaker
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The genius
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The street footballer
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The artist
He didn’t just win the match. He defined the World Cup.
Why This Is One of the Greatest Sporting Moments Ever
This match had everything:
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Controversy
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Brilliance
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Drama
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Tension
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Legacy
It represents football at its most human, flawed, and magical.
Very few sporting moments are still talked about nearly 40 years later. This one is.
Part of Our Top 100 Sporting Moments Series
This series is presented in no particular order, celebrating the Top 100 moments in sporting history that inspired the world, stopped time, and created legends.
Some are about triumph. Some are about heartbreak. Some are about controversy. All are unforgettable.
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Written by Elliot Micallef