When I embarked on my first television assignment with ITV during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, I never anticipated that I would witness a match that would become a defining moment in football history. The clash between England and Argentina at the Azteca Stadium, attended by 114,000 spectators, featured Diego Maradona, who delivered both the most contentious and the most breathtaking goal I have ever witnessed live.
The atmosphere was electric, and the lead-up to the match remains vivid in my memory. Traffic in Mexico City was gridlocked, making even short journeys take an eternity, and encountering one of the local police, who often expected bribes, was a common misfortune.
Fans were already gathered well before the kickoff, creating a constant buzzing sound reminiscent of a giant hive of bees. Martin Tyler, the commentator for ITV, and I had to ascend high into the gantry to reach our commentary position.
England had recently triumphed at the Azteca against Paraguay, and the team was bolstered by a strong lineup: Peter Shilton in goal, Terry Butcher at center-back, Glenn Hoddle in midfield, and Gary Lineker leading the attack. Our talented wingers, Chris Waddle and John Barnes, found it challenging to secure a starting spot.
Given the altitude of the venue, I was concerned about our midfield’s speed in recovering the ball. In such conditions, the primary challenge lies in recovery runs. If a player makes a forward surge, regaining position quickly becomes a daunting task. Therefore, making the ball do the work becomes essential.
England managed to hold their ground during the first half, but early in the second half came Maradona’s legendary moments. Regarding the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal, while most believe he acted intentionally, I believe that Maradona, wary of an incoming Shilton who was slightly slow to react, inadvertently struck the ball with his hand as it fell. Observing no linesman’s flag and hearing no whistle, he gleefully claimed credit for a blatant act of cheating.
Immediately, England’s players rushed to confront the referee, Ali Ben Nasser. The Tunisian official never officiated another World Cup match but did take the ball home as a keepsake.
Just minutes after his first goal, Maradona scored a spectacular second, skillfully maneuvering past Reid and Peter Beardsley, then Butcher and Terry Fenwick before neatly placing the ball past Shilton. There were no grounds for protest this time; it was one of the greatest goals ever scored, surpassing even Gareth Bale’s overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League final and Son Heung-min’s remarkable solo run against Burnley.
Bobby Robson made substitutions, bringing on Waddle and Barnes, igniting a flicker of hope when Barnes delivered a brilliant cross, which Lineker headed in. However, England’s journey ended in frustration. Robson, typically mild-mannered, visibly lost his temper with the referee during a post-match interview. For me, the game also brought about my most embarrassing mistake when Maradona, from the byline, clipped a ball to the back post. I commented, ‘Maradona gets amazing elevation on his balls from the tightest of angles.’
It’s noteworthy to consider the teams that joined Argentina and England in the quarter-finals: Brazil, Mexico, and European powerhouses Spain, Belgium, France, and West Germany. While it remains unclear if any African teams will reach the final eight in this World Cup, there’s no doubt that their quality has significantly improved over the past four decades.
Other notable changes are evident. In 1986, the English TV crew stayed in the same complex as the team in Saltillo, about an hour’s drive from Monterrey—an arrangement that would be unthinkable today. We interacted with players daily during their leisure time by the pool and observed their training sessions.
Additionally, the squad lacked the modern facilities that are now standard, including pristine pitches, top-notch cuisine, and extensive pampering. I recall some England players who were fond of horse racing arranged for ITV to provide coverage of the Derby between their first two matches. Many also enjoyed watching videos of US races and placing bets.
Initially, it appeared that England would not last long in Mexico. They started off poorly, losing to Portugal and drawing with Morocco, leading the English press to anticipate an early exit. At a sponsor’s event following the second match, they indulged in freebies and drinks, convinced that their trip was nearly over.
Fortunately, Bobby and his esteemed assistant, Don Howe, adjusted tactics and formations for the upcoming match against Poland. It has often been said that it was the players who initiated this shift. Regardless of who was responsible, Lineker etched his name into the memories of fans by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory.
Confidence surged after the win against Paraguay, but due to Maradona’s brilliance, England’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals were dashed. I hope that this current team can return to the Azteca, defeat Mexico, and finally lay the ghost of Maradona to rest.
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