First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on June 24, 1986
Handled ball and miracle goal end Englands run
By the hand of God and head of Maradona
MEXICO CITY, Monday: Diego Maradona said yesterday his first goal in Argentinas 2-1 World Cup quarter-final victory over England at the Aztec Stadium here was helped “by the Hand of God”.
Diego Maradona (left) beats England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to a high ball and scores the "Hand of God" goal off his left hand.
Photo: El Grafico via AP
Maradona did not openly admit scoring the controversial goal with his hand.
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But when pressed to explain how he netted the ball in the 51st minute the Argentine captain said: “That goal was scored partly by the hand of God and partly with the head of Maradona.”
Teammate and fellow forward Jorge Valdano also joked about the goal.
He said: “Diego felt so bad about the first goal. Thats why he had to come up with the second.”
Diego Maradona (second left) is about to score his second goal against England. England's Terry Butcher (left) tries to tackle Maradona, while England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton is on the ground.
Photo: AP
Valdano was referring to Maradonnas superb second goal four minutes later – a brilliant solo run from the halfway line in which he left four defenders floundering before rounding England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to slide the ball home.
Shilton was the first player to complain that Maradonas opening goal had come off the Argentines hand.
The goalkeeper had a close-up view because it was Shilton who lost out to Maradona in a challenge after a miskick by an English defender sent the ball towards the goal.
England manager Bobby Robson said after the match: “Maradona handled the ball into goal, didnt he?”
A television replay proved that Maradona had done just that.
The second goal scored by Maradona, a religious young man who crosses himself whenever he enters of leaves a football pitch was described by Robson as “miraculous”.
Argentinian fans taunt English fans after their 2-1 loss to Argentina.
Photo: Supplied
Fans fight in stands
Fighting broke out between between English and Argentine fans in the second half – the first soccer meeting since the 1982 Falklands war – of their World Cup quarter-final at the Aztec Stadium yesterday.
The scuffles erupted after an English spectator carrying a Union Jack walked into a section of the stands behind the Argentine goal. Argentine fans grabbed the flag and ripped it apart.
A few minutes later more English fans challenged the Argentine fans and fist fights broke out.
Six Mexican riot police entered the area separated the fans and ordered them to resume their seats.
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