52 days to the World Cup: The 'Hand of God' and the brilliance of Diego Maradona

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.

England was eyeing a first World Cup title since 1966, while Argentina was seeking a second victory in three tournaments. The build-up to the match included the backdrop of the Falklands War having taken place four years before the 1986 quarterfinal match.

The story of the match ended up being Diego Maradona, who tortured England on the pitch and scored one of the most controversial and one of the most stunning goals in soccer history.

“A little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God.”

That’s how Maradona once described his first goal of the match in the 51st minute, which has been known as the "Hand of God" goal ever since.

Midfielder Steve Hodge attempted to clear a ball outside the England penalty box after Jorge Valdano mishandled a Maradona pass. The ball ended up going backward toward goalkeeper Peter Shilton. It was then, that Maradona sprinted toward Shilton and jumped as high as his 5-foot-5 frame would allow. "El Pibe de Oro" decided against attempting to flick the ball with his head and instead punched it with his left hand into the net.

As Argentina's players celebrated, England players argued with referee Ali Ben Nasser and linesman Bogdan Dochev that Maradona had handled the ball. Decades before Video Assistant Referee was introduced into the game, the goal stood.

Fifteen years later, Ben Nasser said that he was waiting to see Dochev’s decision. “The linesman was better placed than me — I decided to trust his judgement," said Ben Nasser, who never officiated a World Cup match for the rest of his career.

Dochov said in 2007: "With the referee having said the goal was valid, I couldn’t have waved my flag and told him the goal wasn’t good.”

Maradona wasn't done with England after that controversial opener. Four minutes later, he would show off his monumental talent with a solo run to double Argentina's lead by using only his magical left foot.

“That is some goal. That is the best goal ever. I felt like I should applaud after that," said England striker Gary Lineker.

Lineker would give England a chance with an 81st-minute goal, but it wouldn't be enough as Argentina would advance with a 2-1 win en route to winning another World Cup.