The Hand of God: The Goal That Turned Maradona Into a Legend

June 22, 1986, remains forever etched in football’s collective memory. It was not a final, it did not award a trophy, and it did not decide a championship. Yet what happened that afternoon at the Azteca Stadium transcended the sport and became one of the most famous moments in football history.

Argentina and England met in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup. It was a match loaded with tension. Just four years earlier, the two countries had fought in the Falklands War, a conflict that remained fresh in the minds of millions. Football could not erase that wound, but for many Argentinians, it represented an opportunity to compete against England on the biggest stage in the world.

The sporting context was also enormous. England had arrived as one of the strongest teams in the tournament, while Argentina was becoming increasingly dependent on its captain. Maradona had already established himself as the best player of the World Cup, but that afternoon he was about to deliver the performance that would define his entire career.

And then Diego Armando Maradona appeared.

The Birth of the Hand of God

In the 51st minute, Jorge Valdano attempted a one-two near the English penalty area after a brilliant move with Diego. The ball deflected off a defender and soared high into the Mexico City sky. The play seemed lost for Argentina. Peter Shilton, the experienced English goalkeeper, came out to claim the ball. He had every possible advantage. He was nearly eight inches taller than Maradona, could use his hands, and was in the better position.

But standing across from him was El Diego.

The Argentine captain leaped alongside the goalkeeper and, in a split second, made a decision that would change history forever. He discreetly extended his left fist and struck the ball before Shilton could reach it. The ball changed direction and ended up in the back of the net.

And something almost impossible happened.

Millions of people watching on television saw it. The more than 100,000 fans filling Azteca Stadium saw it. The English players saw it. The Argentinians saw it. The entire world saw it.

Everyone except the referee.

The English players immediately protested. They raised their arms, surrounded Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, and demanded that the goal be disallowed. Shilton ran furiously toward the official, pointing out the handball. His teammates could not believe what was happening. But the referee pointed to the center circle.

Goal.

Azteca Stadium erupted.

For a few seconds, there was confusion. Some did not fully understand what had happened. Others simply celebrated. Maradona, aware that the goal could be overturned at any moment, sprinted toward the corner and urged his teammates to embrace him as quickly as possible. The more Argentine players involved in the celebration, the harder it would be to reverse the decision.

History had just changed.

Years later, Diego himself immortalized the play with a phrase that would forever be linked to football:

"It was a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."

Thus, the Hand of God was born.

The phrase transformed an illegal goal into a legend. It was no longer simply an infraction the referee had missed. It became a symbol. A story. A moment that transcended the rulebook and secured its place in football culture.

For some, it was cheating.

For others, it was cleverness.

For many Argentinians, it was a symbolic act of revenge on an unforgettable afternoon.

One thing is certain: nobody remained indifferent.

The Other Masterpiece by Maradona

As if destiny wanted to make that performance truly unforgettable, just four minutes later Maradona picked up the ball in his own half and scored what many consider the greatest goal in World Cup history. He dribbled past half the English team in an impossible run before finishing past Shilton.

In the span of just a few minutes, he had scored two completely opposite goals.

One born from cunning.

The other from pure genius.

One remains debated.

The other is universally admired.

Together, they created one of the most iconic performances ever seen in a FIFA World Cup.

That afternoon, Diego Armando Maradona did more than eliminate England. He built his legend.

Some goals win matches.

Some goals win championships.

And then there is the goal that won immortality.

The goal that turned a footballer into a myth.

The goal that gave Maradona something no trophy could ever provide: footballing divinity.