The 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico witnessed the Argentine national team, adorned in their iconic blue and white striped Argentina jersey, clinching their second World Cup title. The tournament ran from 31 May to 29 June, with 24 teams from 5 confederations participating.
Dive into two of the most iconic goals in World Cup history by scrolling down!
Where Can I Purchase an Argentina Jersey?
Genuine Argentina Jerseys
For those passionate about the Argentina national team, the authentic Albiceleste jersey can be found on Adidas’s official site. Visit the Adidas online store to secure your Argentina jersey and showcase your support for La Albiceleste.
Dick’s Sporting Goods not only stocks the Argentina jersey but also carries fan must-haves such as scarves and caps.
Where to Secure Messi’s Signed Argentina Jersey:
For ardent fans willing to spend around $4000, WorldSoccerShop presents the Lionel Messi Signed Argentina 2022-23 Home 3 Stars Jersey.
Priced at a relatively “affordable” $2,990, this jersey bears Messi’s signature, obtained during an exclusive event in Paris on April 10th, 2023. Each signed Argentina jersey purchase is accompanied by an official FIFA World Cup Certificate of Authenticity, assuring the authenticity of Messi’s autograph.
For those in search of a unique piece, icons.com features an authentic Argentina jersey collection signed by football greats like Crespo, Veron, Mascherano, and Messi, with prices starting at $424. Donning these official jerseys allows fans to connect with Argentina’s rich football history and celebrate the enduring impact of their beloved national squad.
Classic Argentina Jerseys
For lovers of timeless jerseys, vintagefootballshirts.com showcases a range from the past thirty years.
To journey back to the era of Kempes and Maradona, explore Retrofootball.
The Enchanting Ambiance of Mexico World Cup 1986
Challenges Beyond the Pitch
Apart from on-field challenges, teams had to adapt to Mexico’s diverse climate, ranging from humid desert regions to tropical locales. However, the high altitude of Mexican cities posed the most significant challenge for players.
The World Cup saw the debut of teams like Canada, Denmark, and Iraq. However, it was the Argentina jersey that shone the brightest, marking its place in football history
Stadiums: The Battlefields of Glory
The matches were spread across eleven cities, with the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City hosting the most, including the final. The stadiums, filled with fans, echoed with cheers for the teams, especially for those wearing the Argentina jersey.
Argentina jersey: Witness to World Cup Innovations
The 1986 World Cup introduced changes in the competition format. Teams were divided into six groups, with the top two and the best four third-place finishers advancing to the knockout stage.
New Leader of Albiceleste: Rise of Maradona
The Argentina jersey became synonymous with Diego Maradona, the 25-year-old captain who played a pivotal role in leading his team to victory. Maradona’s brilliance was evident in his “Hand of God” goal and another that was voted “Goal of the Century” against England.
Maradona: The Heartbeat of Argentina
Every time Maradona donned the Argentina jersey, magic ensued. He scored five goals during the tournament and assisted in another five, solidifying his place as one of football’s greatest.
Goals for Eternity
While Maradona sccored 5 goals during the tournament in the Argentina jersey, Maradona delivered two of his most memorable goals during this World Cup, both against England in the quarter-finals. His breathtaking solo goal named as “Goal of the Century”, paired with the legendary “Hand of God” moment, are timeless treasures that beckon repeated viewings.
Hand of God
In the heat of the match, just six minutes into the second half, Maradona masterfully maneuvered the ball out of the box with his left foot, directing it towards teammate Jorge Valdano. Valdano’s attempt to navigate through the English defense was thwarted, leading to a back-and-forth tussle, with the ball eventually being directed towards England’s goal by midfielder Steve Hodge.
Given the players’ positioning, Maradona could have been deemed offside. However, since the ball ricocheted off an opponent, no offside violation occurred. With the ball descending and Maradona alone in the penalty box, he vied for it against goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who towered over him by 20 centimeters. As Shilton lunged with his right hand, Maradona, with his left arm extended, made the first contact, nudging the ball into England’s net. As Maradona celebrated, he cast sidelong glances at the officials, seeking validation, and his joy was unbridled when the goal was confirmed.
Referee Ali Bennaceur of Tunisia initially approved the goal. However, amid protests from the English side, he consulted his linesman, who reaffirmed the decision.
The iconic moment was captured for eternity by Mexican photographer Alejandro Ojeda Carbajal, depicting Maradona’s hand making contact with the ball.
Reflecting on the event, Maradona later revealed in his autobiography, “Now I can say what I couldn’t at that moment, what I defined at that time as The Hand of God. What hand of God? It was the hand of Diego!”
Such is the notoriety of this goal that it has its dedicated Wikipedia page.
Though the goal was technically a violation of football rules, the obscured view of the referees allowed it to stand, granting Argentina a 1-0 lead. The match concluded with a 2-1 victory for Argentina, with Maradona’s second goal being hailed as the “Goal of the Century.” This triumph paved the way for Argentina’s World Cup win.
The epithet of the goal stems from Maradona’s initial remarks, attributing it to “a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God.” He later expressed that he viewed the goal as a symbolic retaliation against the UK’s triumph over Argentina in the Falklands War, just four years prior.
Goal of the Century
A mere four minutes following the initial goal, Maradona, with electrifying speed, danced past three defenders and the English goalkeeper to find the net once more. This remarkable goal was later crowned as the “goal of the 20th century” in a 2002 FIFA survey. Argentina ultimately clinched the championship in the tournament fondly remembered as “Maradona’s World Cup”.
Semifinal: Debated Offside Calls Against Belgium
Belgium faced a twist of fate in the semifinals. On two occasions, a linesman, who wasn’t even perfectly aligned with the players, flagged for offside. Upon closer inspection, these decisions appeared to be clear errors, with the players evidently onside.
In the round of 16, Belgium benefited from questionable offside decisions. They defeated the USSR team 4-3 in extra time. The USSR managed to take the lead twice, but Belgium equalized each time with goals that some believe were offside. Personally, I believe the first goal was clearly onside, while the camera angle for the second doesn’t provide a definitive view.
Video replays emphasize these debated moments, highlighting the USSR’s sense of injustice in the match. To view Belgium’s first equalizing goal, refer to the 2:00 mark, and for the next one, go to 6:40:
Argentina Jersey: A Symbol of Unbeaten Success
Argentina showcased an unbeaten performance throughout the tournament. Their path to glory culminated in a thrilling 3-2 victory against West Germany in the final held at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
Experience the magic of the final once again, featuring football greats such as Rudi Völler, Brehme, and Rummenigge from Germany, alongside Argentina’s stars Burruchaga and Valdano:
Legacy of the 1986 World Cup
While the World Cup ended, the memories lingered. The sight of Maradona lifting the trophy, the Argentina jersey drenched in sweat and glory, remains an iconic image in the annals of football.
Maradona tribute: “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” solo, both emulated by Messi
In 2007, Barcelona hosted Getafe at Camp Nou for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. At just 19, Messi was in his third season with the first team and was already being likened to his idol and fellow Argentine, Diego Maradona.
Unsurprisingly, this goal further fueled the excitement, given its striking resemblance to Maradona’s iconic goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.
Intriguingly, even after Barcelona’s 5:2 triumph, Getafe turned the tables in the second leg, ousting Barcelona with a stunning 4:0 win at their home ground.
During a league match against Espanyol on 9 June 2007, the Argentinian scored by launching himself at the ball and guiding it past the goalkeeper with his hand in similar fashion to Maradona’s Hand of God goal. The referee and linesman initially missed the infraction, and only after fervent protests from Espanyol did they award the goal, mirroring the situation with Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal.
Discover how Messi Argentina jersey clinched their 3rd star in 2022:
Delve into the tale of their first-ever star on the jersey, courtesy of Kempes: