There are goals that win matches, goals that win trophies, and then there are goals that change football history. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal belongs to the last category.
On June 22, 1986, Argentina faced England in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium. More than 114,000 spectators watched a match that carried extra emotion, coming just four years after the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
In the 51st minute, Maradona chased a looping ball into the penalty area alongside England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Instead of heading it, Maradona punched the ball into the net with his left hand. The referee and assistant referee did not see the handball, and the goal was awarded.
After the match, Maradona famously described it as being scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” That single sentence turned the incident into one of the most famous moments in football history.
Remarkably, just four minutes later, Maradona produced a completely different kind of masterpiece. Collecting the ball in his own half, he dribbled past multiple England players before scoring what many regard as the “Goal of the Century.” In the span of just a few minutes, he created two of football’s most iconic moments—one controversial, the other universally admired.
The “Hand of God” remains one of the sport’s greatest controversies. Some view it as unsporting, while others see it as part of football’s unpredictable history. Regardless of opinion, the goal continues to be debated nearly four decades later.
Maradona’s legacy extends far beyond that single incident. He captained Argentina to the 1986 FIFA World Cup title, inspired generations of footballers, and became one of the game’s greatest icons.
Years later, another Argentine legend, Lionel Messi, would write his own chapter in football history by leading Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While Maradona’s career is forever linked to the “Hand of God,” Messi’s legacy is celebrated for his extraordinary skill, vision, and consistency with the ball at his feet.
Together, Maradona and Messi represent two extraordinary eras of Argentine football—each leaving an unforgettable mark on the world’s most popular sport.
