Diego Maradona is a legend of Argentine football. But his most iconic World Cup moment should never have happened. The “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal was illegal.
Maradona scored the goal by using his fist to knock the ball into the net. Under football rules, this is not allowed. He was contesting the ball with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Shilton was eight inches taller than Maradona. Maradona made contact before Shilton could reach the ball.
Officials did not have a clear view of the moment. They did not see Maradona touch the ball with his fist. In those days, there was no VAR or instant replay. The goal stood despite protests from English players.
After the game, Maradona said it was “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
Just four minutes later, Maradona scored another goal. He ran 60 yards and dribbled past five English players. It was later voted the “Goal of the Century.” The Argentina team took a 2-0 lead. England scored late through Gary Lineker but could not find a second goal. Argentina won 2-1.
The match came four years after the Falklands War between the two nations. The Argentina team went on to win the World Cup. For England, the defeat extended a World Cup drought that still lingers.
In today’s game, VAR would have ruled out the handball goal. It would have been taken off the board. But in 1986, there was no such technology. The goal remains one of the most controversial moments in football history.
Why Maradona’s “Hand of God” Goal Was Allowed to Stand
The “Hand of God” goal is one of football’s most controversial moments. Diego Maradona scored it against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal. He described it as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
In the 51st minute of the match, Maradona scored by using his hand to knock the ball into the goal. Under football rules, this is not allowed. Video replays clearly showed the ball had touched his hand. However, the goal was allowed to stand because the referee and his assistant did not see the handball on the field. At that time, they could not access replays.
In a 2022 interview, referee Ali Bin Nasser said he did not have a clear view of Maradona’s clash with English goalkeeper Peter Shilton. He said he had no choice but to follow FIFA’s pre-match instructions. FIFA had told him that if his assistant had a better view, he had to take that opinion.
If the officials had seen the handball, Maradona could have been sent off for a serious foul. He would not have been on the field to score his second goal just a few minutes later. That goal, later called the “goal of the century,” saw Maradona run 60 yards and dribble past five English players.
The Argentina team won the match 2-1. England were knocked out of the tournament. Argentina went on to win the World Cup.
Maradona Apologized for His Infamous “Hand of God” Goal
English soccer fans waited 22 years for Diego Maradona to apologize for his infamous “Hand of God” goal. In 2008, during a visit to the UK, he finally did.
Maradona’s handball goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal was not spotted by the referee. Argentina won 2-1 and knocked England out of the tournament. Maradona also scored a second goal that day, weaving past five English defenders in a stunning run.
In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Maradona was asked if he would change the circumstances and apologize. He said he would like to go back and change history if he could. He insisted the goal was still a goal.
The reporter who interviewed Maradona said the translation was accurate. Maradona brought his own interpreter to avoid confusion. The reporter said it took some time to get the apology out of him, but he finally conceded it was time to say sorry.
The goal came four years after the Falklands War. It fuelled a long and bitter rivalry between the two nations. After the match, Maradona had described the goal as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
Chelsea players were delighted when Maradona visited their training session. One midfielder called him the best player to ever grace a football pitch.
Football commentator Simon Hill said the apology had been a long time coming. He noted Maradona was a fantastic footballer but always controversial. He said Maradona was a complex personality. He said the “Hand of God” phrase, along with many other things, will be his legacy.
FAQs
Q. When did Maradona score the Hand of God goal?
A. Maradona scored it against England in the 1986 World Cup.
Q. Was VAR available during the 1986 World Cup?
A. No. VAR did not exist at the time.
Q. What did Maradona say about the goal?
A. Maradona called it a mix of his head and the hand of God.
Q. Did Maradona ever apologize for the goal?
A. Yes. Maradona apologized during a 2008 visit to the UK.
Q. Who refereed the Argentina-England match?
A. Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser officiated the match.
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