Maradona’s legendary opener in the 1986 quarter-final win over England in 1966 is still etched in footballing world’s collective memory.
“A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
Diego Maradona’s enigmatic description of his infamous opener in Argentina’s 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico quarter-final clash with England holds a place in football history. Replays, of course, later proved that his head had been a less significant part of the equation than he initially suggested!
“It was probably the best piece of fraud you will ever see - and he got away with it,” said Terry Butcher, one of the England defenders left to protest in vain. Butcher would, of course, go on to be beaten not once but twice en route to Maradona’s magnificent, much-celebrated second in that 1986 quarter-final. But for all that latter goal’s unparalleled brilliance, Argentina’s controversial opener has proved just as enduring.
Gary Lineker, the Three Lions striker whose 81st-minute goal in the last-eight meeting helped him claim the Golden Boot, told FIFA+ documentary The Hand of God: “I don’t have rage in me. I like Diego, I have to confess. He cheated us, but I’ve forgiven him. Maradona was the greatest player of our era. The things he did on the pitch were magical.”
Other England players have proved less forgiving, with goalkeeper Peter Shilton the most notable example. “I always have people saying: ‘Oh, he out-jumped you.’ He didn’t out-jump me. He cheated,” Shilton has lamented.
Naturally, such complaints only drew typically mischievous responses from the late, great Argentinian icon. “It’s not that I’m proud of scoring a goal like this, but I think it’s funny when they get mad because I scored a goal with my hand. I think it’s very funny.”
“They, England, won a World Cup with a goal that wasn’t against Germany,” Maradona added, referring to the controversial strike that put the Three Lions ahead in the 1966 final. “So, they shouldn’t say anything about Maradona - because they cheated before I did!”
