Under the blazing sun of Mexico City, a dramatic quarter-final clash unfolded between two fierce rivals, who hadn’t faced each other in a World Cup for two decades. This match was dubbed Rattín’s Revenge, or, in the tabloids, Falklands II. Here’s a look back at ten memorable moments from a first half many might have forgotten:
1) Moments before the match began, rather than focusing on the players preparing under the scorching heat, the Mexican TV director zoomed in on a shirtless man downing a final gulp of beer while puffing on a cigar, clearly torn between two vices. This snapshot captured the relaxed vibe at the Azteca Stadium, where both fan bases were in high spirits, and the Argentinian team graciously presented each England player with a personal pennant. Such a thoughtful gesture was a refreshing contrast to the tensions surrounding the Malvinas conflict.
2) As the teams lined up, the referee and his assistants lingered in the cool shade of the center circle, likely wishing for a more powerful sound system to drown out the heat. Cleverly, referee Ali Ben Nasser from Tunisia maintained his composure, proving that catching him off guard would require more than just a midday kickoff.
3) The most impressive display of individual skill up to that point in the 1986 tournament occurred 13 minutes in. Glenn Hoddle sent a long ball down the right flank for Peter Beardsley to chase. The pass proved too ambitious, prompting goalkeeper Nery Pumpido to rush out and collect. However, he miscalculated his approach, causing him to slip and send the ball rebounding off his shin. Beardsley, undeterred, seized the opportunity and executed an impressive feint, sending Pumpido off balance before unleashing a shot towards an unguarded goal. Unfortunately for England, the ball hit the side netting, just shy of a spectacular goal. Such finesse is a rare sight in football.
4) A ludicrous delay occurred towards the end of the half when Diego Maradona prepared to take a corner but found his path obstructed by a row of hefty photographers blocking the way. Realizing moving them would be a monumental task, Maradona cleverly opted to reposition the corner flag instead. However, linesman Berny Ulloa Morera insisted on replacing the pole first. After some back and forth, Maradona managed to get one photographer to budge, only to deliver a lackluster corner right into Peter Shilton’s grasp. What a letdown for the massive crowd of 114,580, who surely didn’t come to see Morera instead of Maradona.
5) Attendants strolled through the stands, balancing trays brimming with up to 15 freshly poured beers, providing excellent service to the thirsty spectators.
6) The BBC commentary duo, Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill, struggled through the first half. While Davies was typically a top-notch commentator, Hill’s critiques had grown tiresome by the 1980s. They spent considerable time criticizing FIFA for appointing a Tunisian referee, suggesting it was inappropriate given Tunisia’s status as an “emerging nation.” This would likely surprise the inhabitants of Tunis, a city established in the fourth century BC. Although Ben Nasser made his share of mistakes, his nationality had nothing to do with his performance.
7) It’s worth noting that the commentators could be somewhat excused for their grumbling, considering the opening 45 minutes were less than thrilling. Argentina dominated possession but struggled to convert it into meaningful chances, despite Maradona’s attempts to create openings.
8) England, aside from a mesmerizing moment from Peter von Teese, played poorly. Terry Fenwick blasted one shot hopelessly off target from 40 yards. By the 44th minute, Gary Lineker barely touched the ball, nudging it out of play down the right side. At one point, Steve Hodge carelessly kicked the ball back into his own penalty area, needing to rectify the situation.
9) Fenwick’s performance was particularly disastrous. He fouled Maradona early on, earning a yellow card, and later stumbled helplessly as Maradona effortlessly dribbled past him. Just before halftime, he struck Maradona off the ball, a blatant foul that merited a straight red card, yet he remained on the pitch.
10) At halftime, news broke that Tele Santana, the idealistic coach of Brazil, had resigned after his team’s heart-wrenching loss to France in the quarter-finals. This moment symbolically represented the struggles of traditional football against modernity. Will we ever see such improvisational brilliance again?
Second Half Surprises
With the score tied at nil-nil at halftime, the second half was poised for excitement, largely due to Fenwick’s reckless play. Just five minutes into the half, he collided with Maradona while contesting a header at midfield. He then struck Maradona again on the 66th minute and committed a ludicrous last-man tackle against Jorge Valdano as the match neared its end. To put it mildly, Fenwick could have easily received four red cards on another day.
Maradona’s response to this aggressive attention is debatable. If one considers that repeated fouls against a talented player serve as a twisted form of respect, then Maradona found himself firmly in the spotlight. History shows that other football legends faced similar treatment in World Cups: Pelé in 1966, Johan Cruyff in 1974, and Ferenc Puskas in 1954 all endured harsh tactics. However, Maradona was subjected to rough play in two separate World Cups: first by Claudio Gentile in 1982, then by Fenwick in this match four years later.
Secondly, this relentless aggression seemed to inspire Maradona to bend the rules himself. The perception that a crafty handball is more morally reprehensible than physical fouls is common, but this misjudgment played right into Maradona’s hands, leading to a pivotal moment six minutes into the second half.
The Infamous Goal
Steve Hodge failed to learn from his earlier mistakes, and disaster struck when he inadvertently sent a high, looping ball into his own penalty area. Maradona, positioned just outside the penalty spot, cleverly used his left fist to nudge the ball past a bewildered Peter Shilton and into the net. He then sprinted towards the corner flag to celebrate, glancing back briefly to check for the referee’s reaction. Amidst the chaos, Shilton was seen desperately waving his arms in frustration, while Fenwick confronted the referee in vain.
No one emerged from this incident with their reputation intact: Maradona, Shilton, Hodge, Fenwick, and referee Ben Nasser all faced scrutiny for their roles in this colossal blunder in World Cup history. However, it’s crucial to understand the referee’s perspective. Watching the footage now, it’s challenging to view the goal objectively, as the knowledge of Maradona’s actions taints our perception. Yet, examining the live commentary provides an invaluable historical context.
“They’re calling for an offside, but the ball deflected off Steve Hodge,” said Barry Davies, puzzled by the frantic gestures of Shilton, Fenwick, and Terry Butcher as they pleaded with the referee. It took two television replays and 32 seconds for the reality of the situation to sink in. “At what point was he offside?” Davies pondered, uncertain about whether it was a handball that sparked England’s outrage.
Despite his earlier struggles, Davies demonstrated his journalistic integrity by refraining from making a definitive judgment on live television, which is a rarity in today’s media landscape. After two minutes, he reported that reporters closer to England’s goal were convinced that Maradona had indeed handled the ball. “They have no doubt that it was a hand that allowed the ball to pass the England goalkeeper,” Davies stated, highlighting the confusion that plagued the match officials.
Nevertheless, the scoreboard reflected reality: Maradona 1, Fenwick 0. This was the consequence of attempting to deceive a master deceiver.
In the end, Maradona proved to be quite the trickster. However, what often gets overlooked is the exceptional skill he displayed in the buildup. Maradona made a stunning run, cutting in from the left after receiving a pass from Julio Olarticoechea, deftly maneuvering past Hoddle, Reid, and Fenwick. As he approached the edge of the box, he drew Butcher and Kenny Sansom in before expertly flicking the ball to Valdano, who was set to turn Hodge—at which point everything fell apart for England.
Pure Football Genius
That moment of brilliance was merely a precursor to what was about to unfold. With England momentarily stunned, an error from Hoddle led to a turnover in midfield, allowing Maradona to receive the ball while facing his own goal near the center circle. With a quick spin, he evaded Beardsley and Reid, darting down the right side of the pitch with intent. After teasing Butcher, he darted inside as the defender lunged at him. Gaining momentum, he charged towards the penalty area, slipping past the hapless Fenwick, then outmaneuvered Shilton as he advanced. The keeper spread himself out, but Maradona seamlessly rounded him and slotted the ball into the right side of the empty net. This breathtaking goal not only erased any moral debt but also solidified Maradona’s legacy as a footballing icon, coinciding with a desperate need for an improvisational hero in a footballing world increasingly dominated by modernity. By this time, Davies had fully recovered from his earlier blunders, delivering one of the finest lines in commentary history: “You have to say that’s magnificent! Pure football genius.” Truly, a moment of commentary brilliance.
The remainder of the match unfolded in a rather peculiar manner. Argentina eased off, but England failed to capitalize. Hoddle, who had struggled for much of the match, improved slightly and created a chance for Beardsley, who unfortunately shot straight at Pumpido. It wasn’t until John Barnes replaced Trevor Steven that England finally posed a genuine threat. Barnes’ confident run down the left set up a goal for Lineker with nine minutes remaining, and after Carlos Tapia struck the left post from the restart, they nearly combined again just before the end. For a fleeting moment, it appeared Lineker had squandered a golden opportunity, attempting to tap in a cross from Barnes, but Olarticoechea expertly intervened just in time.
And that concluded the match. Argentina managed to secure a well-deserved victory, both in terms of sportsmanship and, indeed, in the moral realm, as they were not the instigators of the chaos that unfolded. With this victory, Argentina restored its national pride following the Falklands conflict, avenging the pain inflicted on their former captain, Antonio Rattín, two decades earlier at the same World Cup stage. The narrative of the 1986 match beautifully mirrored the infamous 1966 encounter. Back then, Alf Ramsey had infamously stopped George Cohen from exchanging jerseys with Alberto González, while this time, Hodge traded shirts with Maradona, a reminder of the closest he came to the legendary player. One can only imagine what thoughts crossed Sir Alf’s mind as he witnessed that exchange.
Scott Murray is the co-author, along with Rob Smyth, of “And Gazza Misses The Final,” a history of the World Cup explored through the lens of the MBM.
