Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup feats recalled 40 years on

Former Argentine captain Diego Maradona reflected that his best performance in the 1986 FIFA World Cup came in the round‑of‑16 match against Uruguay on 16 June 1986 in Puebla, Mexico, where he helped Argentina to a 1‑0 win. He recalled the tough conditions, the heavy Le Coq Sportif shirts and his contribution to the decisive goal scored by Pedro Pablo Pasculli.

Four days later, in the quarter‑final against England at the Estadio Azteca, Maradona produced the “Hand of God” goal and the celebrated “Goal of the Century”. Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who was on the receiving end of the handball, said he still cannot forgive Maradona and declined a lucrative invitation to meet the late Argentine star, expressing sympathy only after Maradona’s death.