On a blistering Sunday afternoon in Mexico City, a quarter-final showdown took place between two historic rivals, who hadn’t met on the World Cup stage for two decades, both carrying a weight of historical grievances. This match, referred to as Rattín’s Revenge or, in some tabloid circles, Falklands II, was surrounded by palpable tension and high expectations. Here are ten significant events from a first half that has often been overlooked:
1) Just before the match began, instead of focusing on the players warming up in the sweltering heat, the Mexican television director zoomed in on a topless man finishing a plastic cup of beer while puffing on a cigar, clearly grappling with two desires. This humorous moment captured the festive spirit at the Azteca Stadium, where both sets of fans were in excellent spirits, and the Argentina team graciously presented each England player with a personal pennant—a gesture of goodwill amid the lingering tensions from the Malvinas conflict.
2) The referee and his assistants sought refuge in the shade of the center circle, perhaps wishing for a sound system powerful enough to cool the entire pitch. Nevertheless, they maintained their composure, a clever tactic from referee Ali Ben Nasser (Tunisia), who would need to remain vigilant to avoid any surprises.
3) At the 13-minute mark, Glenn Hoddle showcased his brilliance with a long ball intended for Peter Beardsley. Unfortunately, the pass was too heavy, allowing Nery Pumpido to charge out and collect it. However, in a moment of mishap, the goalkeeper slipped as he tried to gather the ball, causing it to bounce off his shin. Beardsley, demonstrating determination, quickly seized the loose ball, executed a crafty feint to evade Pumpido, only to see his shot narrowly miss the target, hitting the side-netting instead. Such moments of skill are rare, and we apologize for any uncomfortable mental images left behind.
4) A ridiculous delay marked the end of the first half when Diego Maradona prepared to take a corner, only to find himself obstructed by a row of portly photographers. Realizing that moving them would be a daunting task, Maradona opted to remove the corner pole to kick from a different angle. However, linesman Berny Ulloa Morera insisted he replace the pole. After some back-and-forth, Maradona complied, but when the flag fell off, Morera demanded that it be fixed as well. After several adjustments and some lighthearted banter, Maradona finally managed to deliver a lackluster corner that found its way into Peter Shilton’s hands, leaving many in the crowd of 114,580 wondering how many had come to see Morera instead of Maradona.
5) Meanwhile, ushers navigated through the stands, balancing trays with up to 15 ready-poured beers, providing remarkable service to the spectators.
6) The BBC commentary team, Barry Davies and Jimmy Hill, faced a challenging first half. While Davies was a seasoned commentator, Hill had fallen into a routine of cliché commentary by the 1980s. Unfortunately, they spent a good portion of the first half criticizing FIFA for appointing a Tunisian referee, suggesting that Tunisia was an “They’re appealing for offside but the ball came back off the boot of Steve Hodge,” an assertion that would likely raise eyebrows among the residents of the ancient city of Tunis. Although Ben Nasser made his share of mistakes, they were unrelated to his nationality.
7) Their critiques, while somewhat justified, also reflected the dullness of the first half. Argentina held the majority of possession but struggled to capitalize, with Maradona posing a consistent threat.
8) Conversely, England’s performance was subpar. Terry Fenwick sent one attempt sailing 40 yards off target, and at 44 minutes, Gary Lineker’s touch sent the ball out of play. At one point, Steve Hodge made a miscalculated clearance that redirected the ball back into his own area.
9) Fenwick particularly drew attention to himself. He received a yellow card for taking down Maradona early on, then found himself on all fours as Maradona sped past him, and just before halftime, he committed a reckless off-the-ball foul on Maradona that warranted a red card. Surprisingly, he remained on the field.
10) At halftime, it was reported that Tele Santana, Brazil’s idealistic coach, had resigned following their loss to France in a classic quarter-final just a day earlier. This moment symbolized the ongoing struggle between traditional football artistry and modern tactics, raising questions about the future of improvisation in international football.
It could only get better
With a score of nil-nil at halftime, the second half promised excitement, largely due to one man’s transgressions on the field—yes, Fenwick again. Just five minutes into the second half, he struck Maradona in the head during a challenge at the center circle. He was at it again on 66 minutes, and with five minutes to go, he brought down Jorge Valdano with a reckless tackle. In total, Fenwick could have easily been sent off multiple times.
Maradona’s reaction to this rough treatment is open to interpretation. Some might argue that such deliberate fouling serves as an unintended compliment to his talent, elevating him to the status of football’s greats. Other legends, like Pelé and Johan Cruyff, faced their share of brutal treatment in World Cups, but Maradona experienced it on the grandest stage not once, but twice—first by Claudio Gentile in 1982 and now by Fenwick in this match.
However, this relentless attention seemed to ignite Maradona’s desire to bend the rules himself. The notion that a cheeky handball is somehow worse than physical fouls is a common misconception. Unfortunately for England, Maradona displayed superior skill in this regard, tipping the scales in Argentina’s favor just six minutes into the second half.
The helping hand
Steve Hodge, seemingly unlearned from the first half, unwittingly contributed to Argentina’s opening goal. He sliced a high ball into his own area, where Maradona, positioned just in front of the penalty spot, expertly used his left fist to direct the ball over a bewildered Peter Shilton and into the net. Maradona celebrated by sprinting toward the corner flag, casting a quick glance back to ensure the referee missed the infraction. Meanwhile, Shilton could be seen in despair, while Fenwick confronted the referee, gesturing in frustration.
None of the key figures emerged from this affair with their reputations intact—Maradona, Shilton, Hodge, or Fenwick. Referee Ali Ben Nasser (Tunisia) bore the brunt of criticism for overseeing what many consider one of the greatest blunders in World Cup history. However, it is essential to consider the context of his decision-making process. Viewing the footage with the knowledge of what transpired makes it hard to assess the moment objectively. Analyzing it without hindsight proves challenging, yet the BBC commentary from that moment serves as a vital historical record.
“Now at what point was he offside?” Barry Davies remarked, puzzled by why Shilton, Fenwick, and Terry Butcher were frantically pursuing the referee while gesturing wildly. It took 32 seconds and two replays before the realization set in that something was amiss. “Or was it a use of the hand that England are complaining about?” he pondered. “He doesn’t seem to have too much to say, does he?”
Despite his earlier struggles, Davies was a respected journalist known for his integrity. Even after two replays, it remained unclear whether Maradona had handled the ball, and he refrained from making a definitive statement on live television—a testament to his professionalism. It took additional time for Davies to report that colleagues closer to the action were convinced Maradona had indeed handled. “They have little doubt that it was a hand that put the ball past the England goalkeeper,” he stated. All this confusion highlighted the challenges faced by Ali Ben Nasser in making a quick judgment.
Regardless of the controversies, the scoreline stood: Maradona 1, Fenwick 0. Such is the fate of those who attempt to outsmart a clever player.
While Maradona’s actions were undeniably cheeky, one should not overlook the brilliance of his play leading up to that goal. He skillfully maneuvered from the left side, receiving a pass from Julio Olarticoechea and weaving past Hoddle, Peter Reid, and Fenwick before drawing defenders toward him and flicking a pass to Valdano, setting the stage for the goal.
“You have to say that’s magnificent! Pure football genius.”s magnificent! Pure football genius’
The exquisite skill displayed by Maradona was merely a prelude to an even more remarkable moment. With England still reeling, Hoddle squandered possession, allowing Maradona to collect the ball and turn away from his own goal. He deftly evaded Beardsley and Reid, charging down the right and pushing the ball forward with determination. He then outmaneuvered Butcher, quickly darting into the penalty area and eluding Shilton before sliding the ball into the net’s right side. It was a goal that transcended mere skill, erasing any moral ambiguity surrounding the previous goal and solidifying his legacy as a footballing genius when the sport desperately needed a new hero.
Davies, having regained his composure, delivered one of the most memorable lines in commentary history.
“You have to say that’s magnificent! Pure football genius.”
His words resonated with many, encapsulating the essence of that moment.
The remainder of the match unfolded in an unusual manner. Argentina eased off, while England struggled to respond. Hoddle, who had been underwhelming, finally made a contribution, creating a half-chance for Beardsley. However, it was John Barnes’s introduction that revitalized England’s attack, leading to a goal from Lineker with nine minutes remaining. After Tapia struck the left post, the two nearly connected again, but the moment passed as Olarticoechea expertly cleared the cross with Lineker just inches away.
Ultimately, Argentina managed to hold on, securing a well-deserved victory on both sporting and moral grounds, as it was England who instigated the earlier controversies.
This match allowed Argentina to reclaim its national pride following the Falklands conflict, serving as a form of retribution against the English. The narrative of the 1986 match was intertwined with the infamous 1966 encounter, providing poignant symmetry. After the 1966 match, Alf Ramsey had famously stopped George Cohen from swapping shirts with Alberto González. In contrast, Hodge, who inadvertently assisted Maradona’s infamous goal, exchanged shirts with the Argentine maestro, a moment that would surely have left Sir Alf shaking his head.
Scott Murray is the co-author, alongside Rob Smyth, of *And Gazza Misses The Final*, a history of the World Cup through the lens of memorable matches.
