The Hand of
God
The
quarter final between England and Argentina was a
very important game. Four years earlier the
countries had been at war over the Falklands
Islands. For Argentina it was a chance to avenge
the notorious defeat in 1966.
The game was played in the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City
in front of 114,000 spectators. There were no goals in
the first half but the second contained two of the most
famous in football history – both scored by Diego
Maradona.
For the first goal Maradona jumped for a high ball with
England goalkeeper, Peter Shilton. Unable to reach the
ball with his head he punched the ball into the net.
After the game Maradona said he had scored the goal
with ‘the hand of God.’
Greatest Goal
Neither the referee nor his
assistants saw the hand-ball.The England players and
manager were very angry. But they had no complaints
about Maradona’s second goal.
For this the Argentina captain took the ball ran half
the length of the pitch past entire England defence.
Many people consider it the greatest goal of all time.
England got one goal back and came close to equalising
but Argentina held on.
1970 World Cup Factsheet *
World Cup History Quiz 1930 - 1962Have you read ‘The
Big Match’? Try a sample chapter & audio
here: