Played four years after the Falklands War, the match carried political and emotional weight beyond the pitch. Maradona’s opener became known as the Hand of God after he used his hand to beat Peter Shilton, with the goal allowed to stand.
The second goal transformed the afternoon into legend. It was not simply a response to the controversy; it was a display of acceleration, close control and composure that has rarely been matched.
Maradona collected the ball in his own half and surged through the English defence. He dribbled past Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, Terry Fenwick and Butcher again before rounding Shilton.
The Argentine later explained why he believed England had made the moment possible. “Não acho que poderia ter feito isso contra qualquer outro time, porque todos costumavam te derrubar. Eles provavelmente são os mais nobres do mundo,” Maradona said.
His point was clear: England’s willingness to challenge for the ball without simply bringing him down gave him the chance to complete the run. The finish was subsequently celebrated as the “Goal of the Century”, a label that reflected its lasting place in World Cup history.
The two goals could never be separated. Shilton objected to the handball, while Maradona viewed the goalkeeper’s criticism as proof that the argument would never disappear.
“Ele não me deixa ter o gol porque diz que sou desonesto. Esse é o Shilton,” Maradona said, before posing his own hypothetical about a goalkeeper secretly stopping a ball from crossing the line.
The next time Argentina and England meet on a major stage, this match will remain the unavoidable reference point: football’s most disputed goal and its most dazzling individual masterpiece, bound together forever.