Under the blazing sun of Mexico City, a quarter-final showdown unfolded between two fierce rivals who had not faced off in a World Cup for two decades, with past grievances looming large. The match was a chance for ‘Rattín’s Revenge’ or, as some tabloids dubbed it, ‘Falklands II’. Here’s a look at ten notable occurrences from a first half that many have since forgotten:
1) Just prior to kick-off, instead of focusing on players warming up in the sweltering heat, the Mexican television director decided to zoom in on a shirtless man eagerly downing the last drops of a plastic cup of beer while puffing on a cigar. This amusing scene captured the laid-back vibe in the Azteca Stadium, where fans from both sides were in high spirits, and the Argentina squad presented each English player with a personal pennant, a generous gesture amidst the backdrop of the Malvinas conflict.
2) In the moments leading up to the match, the referee and his assistants lingered in the shade of the center circle, likely wishing for an improved sound system that could project their presence throughout the stadium. Yet, they managed to keep their composure. Clever officiating from Ali Ben Nasser of Tunisia—it would take more than a sunny Sunday afternoon to catch him off guard!
3) At 13 minutes into the match, Glenn Hoddle showcased perhaps the most brilliant display of individual skill witnessed during the 1986 tournament thus far. He sent a long pass down the right flank for Peter Beardsley, but the ball was too heavy, prompting goalkeeper Nery Pumpido to rush out. Unfortunately, he misjudged his approach and slipped while adjusting, allowing the ball to ricochet off his shin and into play. Beardsley, refusing to give up, was quick to latch onto the loose ball. Pumpido pursued him frantically, but Beardsley executed a dazzling feint, sending Pumpido scrambling, before unleashing a shot towards the unguarded net—only for it to hit the side-netting, narrowly missing an extraordinary goal.
4) A ridiculous delay occurred towards the end of the half as Diego Maradona prepared to take a corner but found himself obstructed by a row of hefty photographers stationed along the sideline. Realizing that moving them would require significant effort, Maradona opted to remove the corner flag and reposition it. However, linesman Berny Ulloa Morera insisted he replace the pole, a task that led to further complications as the flag fell off. With a mix of humor and frustration, Maradona eventually found a way around the photographers, only to send the corner kick directly into Peter Shilton’s hands—what an anticlimactic moment!
5) Meanwhile, ushers roamed the stands with trays brimming with freshly poured lagers, providing exceptional service to the cheering crowd.
6) The commentary team from the BBC, Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill, struggled to find their rhythm during the first half. While Davies consistently excelled as a commentator, Hill’s insights had become somewhat clichéd over the years. They spent a significant amount of time criticizing FIFA officials for appointing Ben Nasser, arguing it was inappropriate due to his nationality. According to Davies, Tunisia was an “emerging nation,” which would catch many residents of Tunis off guard, given its ancient roots.
7) Admittedly, Davies and Hill’s critiques could be partially forgiven, as the first half was lackluster. Argentina dominated possession but struggled to create meaningful chances, although Maradona appeared threatening when darting down the flanks.
8) Aside from Peter von Teese’s mesmerizing presence, England’s performance was disappointing. Terry Fenwick blasted a shot wildly, sending it 40 yards into the stands. Just before the half ended, Gary Lineker managed a touch that sent the ball out of play, and at one point, Steve Hodge inadvertently sliced a high ball backward into his own area, in a moment that surely needed addressing.
9) Fenwick, in particular, had an embarrassing outing. He received a yellow card for taking down Maradona early on, then found himself on the ground while Maradona zipped past him, and just before halftime, he violently elbowed Maradona in an off-the-ball incident that warranted a red card. Miraculously, he remained on the field.
10) At halftime, news broke that Brazil’s coach Tele Santana had resigned following a heartbreaking quarter-final loss to France. This marked a significant moment in the sport, symbolizing the end of an era for those who cherished the beauty of traditional football.
Second Half Surprises
With the first half ending in a scoreless tie, the second half promised dramatic developments, largely due to one player’s outrageous actions—yes, Fenwick again. Just five minutes after the restart, Fenwick struck Maradona on the head during a challenge, and again on 66 minutes, he fouled the Argentinian. With only five minutes remaining, he brought down Jorge Valdano with a reckless slide tackle. In total, Fenwick could have easily faced dismissal multiple times.
Yet, it’s debatable whether Maradona was truly bothered by this physical attention. If one views systematic fouling as a twisted form of admiration, then Maradona had clearly earned respect. Past football legends have faced similar treatment: Pelé was targeted in 1966, Johan Cruyff suffered at the hands of Berti Vogts in 1974, and Ferenc Puskas was injured by Werner Liebrich in 1954. However, Maradona endured this treatment not once but twice—first by Claudio Gentile in 1982 and then by Fenwick in this match.
This roughhousing seemed to motivate Maradona to bend the rules himself. While some argue that a deliberate handball is morally worse than a few hard hits, England’s players soon discovered that Maradona was far more skilled at such deception.
The Controversial Goal
In a twist of fate, Steve Hodge failed to learn from his earlier mistakes. As he misplayed a high ball into the area, it landed just before the penalty spot, where Maradona expertly used his left fist to nudge the ball over the bewildered Shilton and into the net. Maradona sprinted towards the corner flag to celebrate, taking a quick glance back to see if the referee had caught on to his trickery. Meanwhile, Shilton could be seen desperately gesturing in disbelief, while Fenwick confronted the referee, his frustration evident.
In this incident, none emerged with their reputations intact—Maradona, Shilton, Hodge, Fenwick, and the referee Ali Ben Nasser all faced scrutiny for their roles in what became one of the most infamous moments in World Cup history. It’s challenging to interpret the footage of that goal in an unbiased manner, as viewers already know Maradona’s intentions. However, Barry Davies’ commentary from that moment remains a valuable historical account of the initial reactions.
“They’re appealing for offside, but the ball came back off the boot of Steve Hodge,” remarked Davies, perplexed by the chaotic scene as Shilton and others pursued the referee. It took several replays for the reality of the situation to sink in. “At what point was he offside?” he pondered. “Or was it a handball that England are complaining about?”
Despite his previous struggles during the first half, Davies demonstrated his journalistic integrity by refraining from jumping to conclusions. It wasn’t until two minutes later that he reported that other journalists had confirmed Maradona’s handling of the ball. “They have little doubt that it was a hand that put the ball past the England goalkeeper,” he stated. This extended period of confusion highlighted the difficulty faced by Ben Nasser when making a swift judgment.
Ultimately, the score reflected the outcome: Maradona 1, Fenwick 0. This is what happens when one tries to outsmart a master.
While Maradona’s actions were undeniably cheeky, they were preceded by a remarkable display of skill. He received a pass from Julio Olarticoechea, maneuvered past Hoddle, Reid, and Fenwick, and as he approached the penalty area, he drew defenders in before setting up Valdano, which led to the chaos that unfolded.
Football Genius on Display
What followed was a moment of pure brilliance. With England still reeling, Hoddle mishandled the ball in the midfield, allowing it to be played to Maradona, who was initially facing his own goal. He spun around, effortlessly evading Beardsley and Reid, then surged down the right side with purpose. He toyed with Butcher, darted inward as the defender lunged, and accelerated toward the penalty area, slipping past Fenwick before goading Shilton out of position. The keeper spread himself well, yet Maradona rounded him and deposited the ball into the net, a goal so extraordinary that it erased any moral ambiguity surrounding his previous transgression and solidified his legacy as a footballing icon.
Davies, having recovered from his earlier hesitations, delivered one of the most memorable lines in commentary history: “You have to say that’s magnificent! Pure football genius.” A moment that echoed the brilliance of both Maradona and commentary itself.
The remainder of the match was rather peculiar. Argentina eased off the pressure, while England struggled to capitalize. Hoddle, who had been lackluster, slightly improved, creating a chance for Beardsley. However, it wasn’t until John Barnes entered the fray that England began to threaten. The Watford winger’s confident run set up a goal for Lineker with only nine minutes left, and after Carlos Tapia struck the post shortly after, it seemed they were gaining momentum.
Ultimately, Argentina maintained their lead, securing a well-deserved victory both on the pitch and in the context of the rivalry. This match restored national pride for Argentina in the wake of the Falklands conflict, offering a sense of vengeance against England, who had caused their former captain, Antonio Rattín, much distress two decades earlier. The symmetry between the two encounters was striking, and as Hodge swapped shirts with Maradona post-match, it became a poignant reminder of the day’s events.
Scott Murray, along with Rob Smyth, co-authored a history of the World Cup titled ‘And Gazza Misses The Final.’
