Diego Maradona’s Hand of God: The Controversial Moment That Defined a Legend
On June 22, 1986, in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, a moment occurred that would forever alter football history. Argentina’s Diego Maradona, standing at just 5 feet 5 inches, leapt alongside England’s 6-foot-1 goalkeeper Peter Shilton and appeared to head the ball into the net. The referee signaled a goal, but television replays revealed what England players already knew—Maradona had used his hand, not his head. When later questioned about the controversial goal, Maradona famously described it as scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” This single phrase gave birth to one of sport’s most iconic moments: the “Hand of God” goal, a perfect encapsulation of Maradona’s complex legacy—brilliant yet controversial, divine yet all too human.
Maradona celebrates after scoring the controversial “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final
The Match: Argentina vs. England – More Than Just Football
The 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England was charged with tension that extended far beyond the football pitch. Just four years earlier, the two nations had been engaged in the Falklands War (or Malvinas War, depending on which side you ask), a 10-week conflict over the disputed Falkland Islands that resulted in hundreds of casualties. Though the British emerged victorious in that conflict, the wounds remained fresh, particularly for Argentina.
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where the historic quarter-final took place before 114,000 spectators
For many Argentinians, including Maradona himself, the match represented more than sport—it was an opportunity for symbolic revenge. In his autobiography, Maradona later wrote: “Although we had said before the game that football had nothing to do with the Malvinas War, we knew they had killed a lot of Argentine boys there, killed them like birds. And this was revenge.” This political backdrop transformed an already significant World Cup knockout match into something approaching a surrogate battlefield.
Political Tensions and National Pride
The political significance wasn’t lost on either team or their supporters. England, led by manager Bobby Robson, approached the game with their typical disciplined style, while Argentina, coached by Carlos Bilardo, relied heavily on their mercurial number 10. The stands of Estadio Azteca were dominated by passionate Argentine fans, creating an electric atmosphere that further intensified the occasion.
As the teams took to the field under the hot Mexican sun, the temperature reached 86°F (30°C), but the political temperature was even higher. English tabloids had published provocative headlines referencing the war, while Argentine media portrayed the match as an opportunity to restore national pride. The stage was set for a contest that would transcend sport and enter the realm of cultural mythology.
“We were defending our flag, the dead kids, the survivors. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I did during that game. It was more than football for us.”
The Hand of God Goal: The Moment That Shocked the World
Six minutes into the second half, with the score still locked at 0-0, the moment arrived that would be replayed countless times over the decades to follow. Steve Hodge, England’s midfielder, attempted to clear the ball but inadvertently sent it looping toward his own goal. As goalkeeper Peter Shilton came out to punch the ball clear, Maradona leapt to challenge him.
The controversial moment: Maradona’s fist makes contact with the ball as he challenges Peter Shilton
Despite being significantly shorter than Shilton, Maradona reached the ball first. Television replays clearly showed that he had punched the ball with his left fist, sending it past Shilton and into the net. The Argentine players immediately began celebrating while the English players furiously protested to Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who had not seen the handball and allowed the goal to stand.
In Maradona’s Own Words
In the post-match press conference, when questioned about the goal, Maradona delivered the line that would become immortal in sporting lore: “It was scored a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” This cryptic, almost mystical explanation perfectly captured Maradona’s complex character—part trickster, part genius, part divine instrument.
“I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me, and no one came… I told them, ‘Come hug me, or the referee isn’t going to allow it.'”
Years later, in his 2000 autobiography “Yo Soy El Diego” (I Am The Diego), Maradona admitted more explicitly: “Now I can say what I couldn’t at that moment, what I defined at that time as ‘The Hand of God’… what hand of God? It was the hand of Diego!” He further connected the goal to the Falklands conflict, stating: “It was like stealing from a thief… it was a bit of the ‘hand of God’ and a bit of the ‘head of Maradona’.”
The Technical Execution
From a purely technical perspective, the goal demonstrated Maradona’s extraordinary spatial awareness and opportunism. Recognizing that he couldn’t outjump Shilton legitimately, he calculated in a split second that he could reach the ball with his hand and disguise it as a header. The execution required perfect timing, coordination, and the audacity to attempt such a deception on the world’s biggest stage.
Maradona runs away in celebration as England players protest to the referee
Immediate Reactions: Controversy Erupts
The reaction to the Hand of God goal was immediate and polarized. England’s players surrounded referee Ali Bin Nasser, gesticulating wildly and pointing to their arms to indicate the handball. Peter Shilton, who had the closest view of the incident, was particularly incensed. Meanwhile, Argentina’s players celebrated with Maradona, who later admitted he had urged them to do so quickly before the referee could change his mind.
The Referee’s Perspective
Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser became an unwitting part of football history that day. Without the benefit of video replay and with his view partially obstructed, Bin Nasser relied on his linesman, Bulgarian Bogdan Dochev, who did not signal for an infringement. Years later, Bin Nasser defended his decision, stating: “I was waiting for Dochev to give me a signal. He didn’t signal a handball. The instructions FIFA gave us before the game were clear—if a colleague was in a better position than mine, I should respect his view.”
“I saw the ball in the net, and I looked at my linesman for confirmation of what I had seen. He started running towards the center spot and that’s why I awarded the goal.”
Interestingly, in 2015, nearly three decades after the incident, Maradona visited Bin Nasser in Tunisia and presented him with a signed Argentina jersey, a gesture that some viewed as reconciliation and others as tacit acknowledgment of their shared role in one of football’s most controversial moments.
England’s Protests
The English players were furious. Peter Shilton, who never forgave Maradona for the incident, later wrote: “What I don’t like is that he never apologized. Never at any stage did he say he had cheated and that he would like to say sorry. Instead, he used his ‘Hand of God’ line. That wasn’t right.” England manager Bobby Robson was equally direct, calling it “the hand of a rascal” in his post-match comments.
England players surround referee Ali Bin Nasser in protest after the controversial goal
Global Media Coverage
The global media reaction was swift and divided largely along national lines. British newspapers were outraged, with headlines like “CHEAT!” and “HAND OF GOD” dominating the front and back pages. The Sun famously published a picture of Maradona with devil horns. In contrast, Argentine papers celebrated their national hero, with Clarín declaring “We Are God” and El Gráfico immortalizing the moment with the headline “God Is Argentine.”
International media took varying positions. Many acknowledged the handball but focused equally on Maradona’s second goal in the same match—an extraordinary solo run past five England players that was later voted “Goal of the Century.” French newspaper L’Équipe perhaps captured the duality best, describing Maradona as “half-angel, half-devil.”
British newspapers condemned Maradona with headlines like “CHEAT!” after the match
Argentine media celebrated Maradona as a national hero and divine figure
Legacy: How the Hand of God Shaped Maradona’s Mythos
The Hand of God goal became inseparable from Maradona’s legacy, for better and worse. It encapsulated the contradictions that defined his career and life: brilliant yet flawed, honest yet deceptive, hero yet villain. Rather than diminishing his stature, the controversy seemed to enhance it, adding layers of complexity to his persona that transcended sport.
The Goal of the Century: The Other Side of Genius
Just four minutes after the Hand of God, Maradona scored what many consider the greatest goal in World Cup history. Starting in his own half, he dribbled past five England players—Peter Beardsley, Steve Hodge, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher, and Terry Fenwick—before rounding goalkeeper Peter Shilton and slotting the ball into the net. This goal, later voted “Goal of the Century” in a 2002 FIFA poll, demonstrated Maradona’s unparalleled skill and genius.
The “Goal of the Century”: Maradona’s incredible solo run just minutes after the Hand of God
The juxtaposition of these two goals—one controversial, one sublime—in the same match against the same opponent perfectly symbolized Maradona’s duality. As journalist Brian Glanville wrote: “In the space of four minutes, Maradona showed the two sides of his character, the diabolic and the divine.”
World Cup Victory
The Hand of God goal proved pivotal in Argentina’s journey to World Cup glory. After defeating England, they went on to beat Belgium 2-0 in the semi-final (with Maradona scoring both goals) before overcoming West Germany 3-2 in a thrilling final. Maradona was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, having scored five goals and provided five assists.
Lifting the World Cup trophy as captain cemented Maradona’s status as a national hero in Argentina. The controversial nature of his quarter-final goal against England was, for Argentinians, merely part of his mystique—a street-smart kid from the slums of Buenos Aires outsmarting the English establishment, a narrative that resonated deeply in a country with a complex relationship with former colonial powers.
Maradona lifts the World Cup trophy after leading Argentina to victory in 1986
Evolving Perspectives
Over time, perspectives on the Hand of God have evolved. While many English fans and players never forgave the deception, others came to view it as part of football’s rich tapestry of controversial moments. Gary Lineker, who played for England in that match, later acknowledged: “I was annoyed at the time, but now I just see it as part of football folklore.”
For Maradona himself, the goal became a central part of his identity. He embraced the “Hand of God” moniker and referenced it throughout his life. In 2019, more than three decades after the incident, he told France Football: “I dream of being able to score another goal against England, with my right hand this time!”
“If I could apologize and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal, Argentina went on to win the World Cup and I was the tournament’s best player. This was the reality.”
Cultural Impact: Beyond the Football Pitch
Few sporting moments have transcended their original context to become cultural touchstones like the Hand of God. The incident has been referenced in countless books, films, songs, and artworks, becoming shorthand for both divine intervention and clever deception.
In Popular Culture
The Hand of God has permeated popular culture far beyond the sporting world. It has been referenced in songs like Mano Negra’s “Santa Maradona” and the Argentinian rock band Los Piojos’ “Maradó.” In cinema, the incident features prominently in documentaries like “Maradona by Kusturica” (2008) and Asif Kapadia’s acclaimed “Diego Maradona” (2019), as well as being referenced in numerous films and television shows.
The Hand of God has inspired countless cultural references in art, merchandise, and media
In Argentina, the moment has been immortalized in murals, statues, and even religious iconography. In Naples, where Maradona played club football, street art depicting the Hand of God can be found throughout the city. The phrase itself has entered the lexicon, used to describe everything from unlikely coincidences to deliberate acts of deception.
Debates on Sports Ethics
The Hand of God sparked enduring debates about ethics in sports. Was Maradona’s action clever gamesmanship or outright cheating? Does the responsibility lie with the player to be honest or with the officials to catch infractions? These questions continue to be debated whenever controversial decisions occur in high-stakes matches.
The incident also accelerated discussions about technology in officiating. Many point to the Hand of God as a pivotal moment that eventually led to innovations like goal-line technology and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) systems, designed to prevent such controversial incidents from deciding important matches.
“You can’t compare the incomparable. The Hand of God was a unique moment, a trick that came off. The goal of the century was a tremendous goal, one that you couldn’t even repeat if you tried 1,000 times.”
Memorabilia and Collectibles
The tangible artifacts associated with the Hand of God have acquired extraordinary value. In May 2022, the actual ball used in the match sold at auction for £2 million ($2.4 million). The jersey worn by Maradona, which had been in the possession of England midfielder Steve Hodge since they swapped shirts after the game, sold for a record-breaking £7.1 million ($9.3 million) at Sotheby’s, making it the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold at the time.
These astronomical figures reflect not just the sporting significance of the moment but its cultural impact—the Hand of God transcended sport to become a historical artifact, a physical connection to a moment that changed football forever.
The match ball and Maradona’s jersey from the 1986 quarter-final have sold for millions at auction
Maradona’s Complex Legacy and the Hand of God
When Diego Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, the Hand of God featured prominently in the global outpouring of tributes. The incident had become so intertwined with his identity that it was impossible to separate the man from the moment. For many, it perfectly encapsulated what made Maradona unique—his willingness to break rules, his street-smart cunning, his unapologetic nature, and his ability to follow controversy with brilliance.
The Divided Legacy
Maradona’s legacy remains divided along geographical and cultural lines. In Argentina, he is revered as a near-deity, with the Hand of God seen as a clever act of revenge against a former colonial power. In England, despite growing appreciation for his extraordinary talent, the handball remains a sore point for many. The rest of the world tends to view the incident with more ambivalence, acknowledging the deception while celebrating the skill and audacity it represented.
“The English remember the hand, the Argentinians remember the goal. As an Argentinian, I tell the English: you also have to remember the goal.”
This division reflects broader cultural differences in how sporting ethics are viewed. In some cultures, particularly in South America, the ability to bend rules without breaking them is celebrated as “viveza criolla” (creole cunning)—a form of street smarts that values resourcefulness and opportunism. In others, particularly in Northern Europe, there is greater emphasis on fair play and sportsmanship.
The Hand of God in Maradona’s Own Words
Maradona’s own relationship with the Hand of God evolved over time. Initially evasive, he later embraced it as part of his mythology. In his autobiography, he wrote: “I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me, and no one came… I told them, ‘Come hug me, or the referee isn’t going to allow it.'” This candid admission revealed both his awareness of the deception and his quick thinking in the moment.
In later years, particularly after Argentina’s defeat to Germany in the 1990 World Cup final, Maradona became more reflective about the incident. While never offering a formal apology, he acknowledged in a 2008 interview: “If I could apologize and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal, Argentina went on to win the World Cup and I was the tournament’s best player. This was the reality.”
In his later years, Maradona reflected more openly on the Hand of God and its place in his legacy
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of the Hand of God
More than three decades after that fateful moment in Mexico City, the Hand of God remains one of football’s most iconic incidents. Its enduring power lies in its perfect encapsulation of the sport’s capacity for both controversy and beauty, often within the same match or even the same player. The fact that it was followed just minutes later by perhaps the greatest goal ever scored adds a layer of poetic complexity that continues to fascinate.
The Hand of God transcended sport to become a cultural touchstone, a moment that continues to provoke debate, inspire art, and define how we remember one of football’s greatest and most complex figures. It reminds us that sport at its most compelling is not just about athletic excellence but about human drama—the flaws, the genius, the controversy, and the redemption that make athletes like Maradona so captivating.
Perhaps the most fitting epitaph for both Maradona and his most controversial moment came from French newspaper L’Équipe, which described him as “half-angel, half-devil.” In that single phrase lies the essence of both the man and the moment—the Hand of God and the genius that followed it, forever linked in football history.
“If you take away the Hand of God, you take away the magic of football. I scored 333 goals in my career, and they’re all important, but people only remember that one.”
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