Argentina Home 1986

Argentina Home 1986

Read the story of WC 1986 
Maradona captained the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Winning the final in Mexico City against West Germany. Throughout the tournament, Maradona asserted his dominance and was the most dynamic player of the competition. He played every minute of every Argentina game, scoring five goals and making five assists; three of the assists came in the opening match against South Korea at the Olímpico Universitario Stadium in Mexico City. His first goal of the tournament came against Italy in the second group game in Puebla. Argentina eliminated Uruguay in the first knockout round in Puebla, setting up a match against England at the Azteca Stadium, also in Mexico City.

After scoring two contrasting goals in the 2–1 quarter-final win against England, his legend was cemented. The majesty of his second goal and the notoriety of his first led to the French newspaper L’Équipe describing Maradona. As “half-angel, half-devil”. This match was played with the background of the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Replays showed that the first goal was scored by striking the ball with his hand. Maradona was coyly evasive, describing it as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”. It became known as the “Hand of God”.

Ultimately, on 22 August 2005, Maradona acknowledged on his television show that he had hit the ball with his hand purposely, and no contact with his head was made, and that he immediately knew the goal was illegitimate. This became known as an international fiasco in World Cup history. The goal stood, much to the wrath of the English players.

“Maradona, turns like a little eel and comes away from trouble, little squat man… comes inside Butcher and leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick and leaves him for dead, and puts the ball away… and that is why Maradona is the greatest player in the world.”—Bryon Butler’s BBC Radio commentary on Maradona’s second goal against England.

Maradona’s second goal, just four minutes after the hotly disputed hand-goal, was later voted by FIFA as the greatest goal in the history of the World Cup. He received the ball in his own half, swivelled around and with 11 touches ran more than half the length of the field, dribbling past five English outfield players (Peter Beardsley, Steve Hodge, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, and Terry Fenwick) before he left goalkeeper Peter Shilton on his backside with a feint, and slotted the ball into the net. This goal was voted “Goal of the Century” in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA. A 2002 Channel 4 poll in the UK saw his performance ranked number 6 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.

Maradona right before scoring the “Goal of the Century” (four minutes after his “Hand of God” goal) against England in Mexico 1986. In 2022, his shirt sold for £7.1 million ($9.3 million), the highest for a piece of sports memorabilia.
Maradona followed this with two more goals in a semi-final match against Belgium at the Azteca. Including another virtuoso dribbling display for the second goal. In the final match, West Germany attempted to contain him by double-marking him. But in the 84th minute he nevertheless found space past West German player Lothar Matthäus to give the final pass to Jorge Burruchaga for the winning goal. Ultimately Argentina beat West Germany 3–2 in front of 115,000 fans at the Azteca with Maradona lifting the World Cup as captain.

During the tournament, Maradona attempted or created more than half of Argentina’s shots. Attempted a tournament-best 90 dribbles. Three times more than any other player and was fouled a record 53 times. Winning his team twice as many free kicks as any player. Maradona scored or assisted 10 of Argentina’s 14 goals (71%). Including the assist for the winning goal in the final. Ensuring that he would be remembered as one of the greatest names in football history.

By the end of the World Cup, Maradona went on to win the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament by unanimous vote. He was widely regarded to have won the World Cup virtually single-handedly. Something that he later stated he did not entirely agree with. Zinedine Zidane, watching the 1986 World Cup as a 14-year-old, stated Maradona “was on another level”. In a tribute to him, Azteca Stadium authorities built a statue of him. Scoring the “Goal of the Century” and placed it at the entrance of the stadium.

On the 2nd of November 2020, Diego Armando Maradona died. The world was in total sadness of his demise and he wil forever be remembered as one of the greatest players ever to grace the football fields.

Want to watch it for yourself? Check it out here. Promiss you’ll come back and order the shirt, ok.

The Shirt
Argentina 1986, Maradona! Need we say more. Diego scored the goal of the century during that World Cup in Mexico. While also scoring the goal which was labelled the Hand of God. Football shirts don’t come more iconic and legendary than this retro Argentina 1986. Think about the heads that will turn if you wear this legendary retro shirt in the gym or on the streets. If you like a player name on the back, please select before adding the shirt to the basket. In case you want a different name on the back, please send us a message.

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