At the Mexico World Cup, at a time when tensions were running high between Argentina and England following the conflict over the Falkland Islands — known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas — the stage was set for a fiery encounter.
Following a frantic, bed-tempered first half in which both sides spurned chances, Maradona saw an opening a few minutes after the restart. A mis-hit clearance was heading toward earth and the hands of England goalkeeper Peter Shilton when the diminutive Argentine No. 10, already at full steam, leaped to meet the ball, punching it clear of Shilton and into the net.
An aghast England squad besieged the referee, Ali Bin Nasser of Tunisia, but the controversial opener stood.
Minutes later, almost in penance for the blatant display of cheating, Maradona Slalomed through much of the England team and rounded Shilton to produce a piece of sublime individual skill that, to this day, is widely considered the World Cup’s finest goal.
England managed to claw one back but it was too little, too late, and Maradona’s two very different strikes advanced the Albiceleste to the semis, and, ultimately, World Cup glory.