Joy Of 6 Extended

It was 20 years since England had won the world cup and 20 years since England had beaten Argentina in a competitive match. It was the day England had been waiting for. Dedicated fans travelled over 5000 miles for a once in a lifetime opportunity, the quarter final of the World Cup. 51 minutes into the match, this seemed to be a fair game between the future rivals. However England's hopes and dreams were crushed as Diego Maradona left the stadium astounded as Argentina went up 1-0. The infamous hand of god. The referees allowed a clear violation of the game as Maradona punched the ball past an astounded Peter Shilton. Shilton and his teammates instantly signalled at the inexperienced Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser however the goal was still allowed. Terry Fenwick and Glenn Hoddle chased Bin Nasser back to the centre circle, but their protests fell on deaf ears.

After England's determination the game harshly ended 2-1 Argentina after his 2, a goal of the century by England's new villain Maradona, and a late consolation goal. Bobby Robson A photo which clearly showed Maradona using his fist to strike the ball was released after the match. Maradona could hardly claim that he had nothing up his sleeve "the goal was a little with the hand of Maradona and a little with the hand of god. 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". Tension had surrounded the match because it was the first time the new rivals had met since the Falkland War, the games spectators were playing this down, but the media certainly weren't. Before the game Maradona stated 'I want retribution against England for my countries defeat in the Falkland War. This is revenge'. Everyone knew something was up after the suspicious comment from the world star, but no one expected a violation as shocking as that. England coach Bobby Robson was in no mood for an embrace. "I saw the ball in the air and Maradona going for it, Shilton went for it as well but Maradona handled the ball into the net. You don't expect decisions like that at World Cup level".

After the West German referee, Rudolf Kreitlein, had sent off Antonio Rattin when they lost to England in the 1966 finals, some will argue that justice of a kind was done 20 years later. Shouts of the Falklands war echoed from the stands around the Azteca Stadium. There was a brief outbreak of arrests at the start of the second half but the rivalry English and Argentinian fans maintained a more peaceful atmosphere. For many Argentineans, pick-pocketing the English in this fashion was a deeply satisfying experience.

The phrase ‘hand of god’ has been used ever since as a term by for many football fans for a deliberate hand ball. Maradona says he loves the infamous quote and hopes it lives on after he dies. Maradona’s hand of god has gone down as one of the most controversial moments in sporting history. Maradona is still a big name in the sporting world having managed Argentina to the quarter finals of the 2010 world cup but ironically losing to Germany, England’s other rivals, in the quarter finals by a solid 4-0 defeat. Many Argentinians see Maradona as a role model because of his skill of football, despite the hand of god incident. Even the world’s number 1 player, Lionel Messi, looks up to Maradona as a role model and has even copied some of his most famous moments, including the hand of god. Pope Francis quoted ‘I am truly very happy and I am certain that my enthusiasm is shared by the whole Argentinian people’.

Maradona will live on from his infamous actions at the Azteca Stadium in 1986, however one thing is for sure that England will never forget this and their rivalry still lives on as well.