We are down to only two days until the start of the World Cup in Brazil and continue our Top 50 World Cup moments – today number 2: Maradona’s Hand of God.
It was during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England when Diego Maradona would break English hearts.
Six minutes into the second-half, Maradona passed the ball to Jorge Valdano and continued his run from the left into the England penalty area.
The pass was intercepted by Steve Hodge but in trying to clear it he skewed it into the penalty area where Maradona had continued his run.
However, England goalkeeper, Peter Shilton came out to clear the ball and it looked as if the small Maradona would have no chance to win the aerial battle.
The Argentine, however, reached it first and, with the outside of his left fist, knocked it beyond the shocked English goalkeeper into the net.
The referee and his linesman didn’t see the infringement and the goal stood. The English players chased the referee back to the centre circle, but their protests fell on deaf ears.
Maradona later said, “I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me, and no one came. I told them, ‘Come hug me, or the referee isn’t going to allow it.’”
Just three minutes later, Maradona showed his real brilliance and ran literally passed the whole English team to score the Goal of the Century.
However, it was the first goal which had shocked English and world football.
Maradona later claimed it been scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
Have you seen this famous goal known as The Hand Of God? Have your say in the comment section below.