When I embarked on my initial television role with ITV during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, I never anticipated witnessing a match that would become an iconic memory. The clash between England and Argentina at the Azteca Stadium, attended by 114,000 fans, featured Diego Maradona, whose brilliance produced both the most controversial and arguably the finest goal in World Cup history.
The match remains vivid in my mind, with the anticipation building even before kick-off. Traffic in Mexico City was notoriously congested, making even short journeys lengthy, and encounters with corrupt local policemen were not uncommon.
As the crowd gathered, their collective noise resembled a buzzing swarm of bees. Martin Tyler, the commentator for ITV, and I had to ascend to the gantry, situated high above the pitch, for our commentary spot.
England had recently secured a victory at the Azteca against Paraguay, fielding a strong lineup: Peter Shilton in goal, Terry Butcher in defense, Glenn Hoddle in midfield, and Gary Lineker leading the attack. Meanwhile, our talented wingers, Chris Waddle and John Barnes, struggled to earn starting positions.
Playing at altitude raised concerns about our midfield’s recovery speed. In such conditions, the main challenge lies in quickly recovering after making aggressive runs. Thus, making the ball do the work becomes essential.
In the first half, England held their ground, but early in the second half, Maradona delivered his famous moments. Regarding the infamous “Maradona gets amazing elevation on his balls from the tightest of angles.” goal, many believe it was intentional. However, I think Maradona, perhaps wary of an approaching Shilton, instinctively raised his arm, resulting in the ball hitting his hand and finding the net. With no whistle from the referee or flag from the linesman, he took advantage of the situation and claimed the glory for what was clearly a deceptive play.
Immediately, the England players rushed to protest to referee Ali Ben Nasser. Although Ben Nasser never officiated another World Cup match, he notably took the match ball home as a keepsake.
Just minutes after his first, Maradona scored a stunning second goal, skillfully evading defenders Reid, Beardsley, Butcher, and Fenwick before slotting the ball past Shilton. This time, there could be no objections; it was an extraordinary goal, arguably one of the best I have witnessed live, surpassing even Gareth Bale’s overhead kick for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final and Son Heung-min’s remarkable solo run against Burnley.
Bobby Robson introduced Waddle and Barnes, igniting fleeting hopes when Barnes delivered a brilliant cross that Lineker headed in, but England was left frustrated and angry. In a post-match interview, Bobby, known for his politeness, visibly lost his temper. I, too, experienced an embarrassing moment during the game, mistakenly commenting on Maradona’s skill as he clipped a ball to the back post, saying, “Maradona gets amazing elevation on his balls from the tightest of angles.”
Reflecting on the quarter-final teams alongside Argentina and England, Brazil, Mexico, and European giants like Spain, Belgium, France, and West Germany stand out. While we await to see if any African teams reach the quarter-finals this World Cup, their quality has undoubtedly improved significantly over the past four decades.
Other notable differences are evident. In 1986, the English TV crew shared accommodations with the team in Saltillo, about an hour’s drive from Monterrey—a situation that would be unthinkable today. We interacted with players during their downtime by the pool and observed their training sessions.
The squad also lacked the lavish facilities available now, such as pristine pitches, gourmet food, and top-notch amenities. I recall England players who enjoyed horse racing arranging for ITV to broadcast the Derby during their first two matches, while others watched U.S. races and placed bets.
Initially, it seemed England’s stay in Mexico would be short-lived. They began the tournament hesitantly, suffering a loss to Portugal and drawing with Morocco, leading the English press corps to predict a swift return home. During a sponsors’ reception after the second match, many were enjoying drinks and collecting freebies, thinking their trip was nearly over.
Lucky for them, Bobby and his trusted assistant Don Howe adjusted their tactics and formation ahead of the next match against Poland. Though often credited to the players’ influence, it was during this game that Lineker cemented his place in history with a hat-trick, leading to a 3-0 victory.
Confidence surged following the win over Paraguay, but Maradona ensured England would not reach the semi-finals. I hope that this current England team can return to the Azteca, overcome Mexico, and finally put the specter of Maradona to rest.
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