The "Hand of God" and the Legend of the Most Mysterious Goal in World Cup History – 1986

The “Hand of God,” or as the legendary Maradona called it, “The Sweet Revenge,” took place during the 1986 World Cup.

A historic anecdote that sparked numerous debates, leaving an incredibly profound mark not only on the national football team but also on the entire population of Argentina.

Diego Armando Maradona – The Creator of the “Hand of God”

Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 30, 1960. He grew up in Villa Fiorito, a slum in the southern suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Maradona is renowned as one of the best dribblers in football history. Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff noticed the similarities between Maradona and Lionel Messi, stating that it felt as if the ball was attached to their body when they moved with it.

Not only was Maradona famous for his top-notch ball control, but he also had the strategic mindset of a tactician within the body of a smart player, with a remarkable spatial awareness and exceptional ability to handle situations on the pitch.

Maradona in 1986 and shortly before his passing

During his time with the Argentina national team, Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 appearances. At the 1986 World Cup, as captain, he led Argentina to win the title in Mexico.

In 2000, Maradona was awarded the FIFA Player of the Century award, a distinction determined by votes on their official website, magazine, and a large jury.

On November 25, 2020, Maradona passed away from a heart attack at his home in Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina, shortly after celebrating his 61st birthday.

The “Hand of God” Incident in the 1986 World Cup

The 1986 World Cup was the tournament where the legendary Diego Maradona carried Argentina on his shoulders, leading them to the championship.

After Colombia withdrew from hosting the 1982 World Cup, Mexico officially became the first country to host the world’s largest football tournament twice. This time, in Mexico, a star emerged—Diego Maradona.

Maradona and his controversial goal became the most debated moment in football history.

The quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup witnessed an unforgettable moment in football history.

On June 22, 1986, the sun was high, casting many shadows over the Argentina half of the pitch. In the 50th minute, with the score tied 0-0, Diego sprinted like a bullet, leaping to contest the ball with England’s goalkeeper, Peter Shilton. Due to his height disadvantage, Maradona decided to use “the Hand of God” to punch the ball into the net, leaving more than 100,000 spectators, and even the Argentine players, in stunned silence.

Many fans were convinced he had cheated by deliberately using his hand to score. As soon as the goal was acknowledged by the referee, the England players surrounded the referee and protested vehemently.

There were many photos taken at that moment of Maradona jumping to meet the ball, but none were clear enough to prove that he had actually used his hand. It wasn’t until later, when a video surfaced showing Maradona using his hand to score, but by then, it was too late.

At that moment, only Maradona, England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, and defender Terry Fenwick knew exactly what had happened. The two main referees, Ali Bin Nasser and Bogdan Dochev, both had clear angles to observe the goal, but neither of them could explain what they had witnessed.

The Significance of the “Hand of God” Incident

“It was revenge,” Maradona wrote in his autobiography. The “revenge” here was not just for the pain that the Argentine people had endured at the 1966 World Cup, but also for the fallen soldiers of Argentina in the Falklands War. This was a historical dispute between the two nations.

According to recorded documents, the Argentine military occupied the Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982. Two days later, the British military launched an assault on the islands. After 74 days of fierce fighting, Argentina surrendered, and the UK regained control.

Since then, a deep-seated animosity had been created in the hearts of the Argentine people. Maradona’s goal, which shook the English net, was seen as a powerful act of revenge, making Maradona a hero revered by his people, almost like a saint with magical hands. This was entirely different from the fictional character Yoong Hoo’s “Hand of God” in movies—Maradona was a real person, and his achievement was anything but fictional.

Drawing of Maradona Returning the “Hand of God” to God Upon Reaching Heaven

It wasn’t until later, when he was interviewed about the controversial goal, that he answered with pride: “That goal was scored with my head and a little bit of the Hand of God.” In 2005, he admitted on live television that he had intentionally used his hand to score the goal.

The media recorded his words, and from then on, the term “Hand of God” became widely used in newspapers and has remained in popular culture to this day.

In a 2015 television interview, Maradona expressed his gratitude to the football world for granting him freedom and allowing him to “reach up to the sky.” Could it be that the “Hand of God” symbolized the freedom and wildness that “The Golden Boy” always sought throughout his career?

Even after Maradona passed away, many British newspapers still held onto their resentment towards the term “Maradona’s Hand of God,” and it has become a popular subject for many documentaries and films.

Conclusion

Beyond the “Hand of God” incident, Maradona lived an extraordinary life. He was a controversial figure, loved by many and hated by others. He turned his life into a series of intense challenges and performances.

When he passed away, his fans showed him an extraordinary amount of respect and admiration to honor and bid farewell to this legend. Perhaps, in the future, it will be hard for any footballer to have such a lasting impact.