Diego Maradona's performance in the 1986 FIFA World Cup is widely considered one of the most dominant individual displays in tournament history, culminating in Argentina's victory. He scored five goals and provided five assists during the tournament, playing a pivotal role in nearly every Argentine goal. [1] [2] His most famous contributions came in the quarter-final match against England, where he scored two iconic goals: the controversial "Hand of God" goal and the breathtaking "Goal of the Century." [3] [4]

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The "Hand of God" goal, scored six minutes into the second half, saw Maradona illegally use his hand to punch the ball over England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton into the net. [3] [5] Despite protests from the English players, the Tunisian referee Ali Ben Nasser allowed the goal to stand, claiming he did not see the handball. [3] [5] Maradona later famously stated the goal was scored "a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God." [3] [4] This goal gave Argentina a 1-0 lead. [3] Just four minutes later, Maradona scored what is often hailed as the "Goal of the Century." [3] [4] He received the ball in his own half, dribbled past five English players—Peter Beardsley, Peter Reid, Terry Butcher (twice), and Terry Fenwick—before rounding goalkeeper Peter Shilton and slotting the ball into an empty net. [1] [4] This nine-second sequence showcased his unparalleled dribbling ability and vision. [1] [4]

Beyond the England match, Maradona's influence was evident throughout the tournament. In the group stage, he set up all three goals in Argentina's 3-0 victory over South Korea. [1] He then scored Argentina's equalizer in a 1-1 draw against reigning world champions Italy. [1] In the Round of 16, Argentina defeated Uruguay 1-0, with Maradona creating numerous chances for his teammates. [1] In the semi-final against Belgium, Maradona scored both goals in a 2-0 win, further cementing his dominance. [1] [4] In the final against West Germany, he was involved in all three of Argentina's goals in their 3-2 victory, lifting the World Cup trophy as captain. [1] [6] His performances led American "Sports Illustrated" to name him "King of Soccer" a week after the final. [6]

Maradona's journey to the 1986 World Cup was marked by previous disappointments. He was controversially left out of Argentina's 1978 World Cup-winning squad at the age of 17, a snub he vowed to avenge. [4] [6] In the 1982 World Cup, he was sent off in a match against Brazil and his team was eliminated in the second group stage. [1] [4] His club career also saw challenges, including a difficult spell at Barcelona before his move to Napoli, where he found immense success, leading them to their first Serie A titles. [1] [6] The 1986 World Cup was seen by many as his opportunity to prove his undisputed talent on the global stage, and he seized it spectacularly. [1] [4]

If cameras were used more extensively in 1986, would Diego Maradona have won the World Cup?

The year is 1986. The air in Mexico City is thick with anticipation, and the world is watching. Diego Maradona, a man whose every touch of the ball seems to defy gravity and logic, is leading Argentina through the World Cup. But in this alternate reality, the technology of 2025 has somehow been transported back in time. Every angle is covered, every movement tracked, every decision scrutinized by an army of high-definition cameras and AI-powered officiating systems.

The quarter-final against England arrives, a match already steeped in geopolitical tension. Six minutes into the second half, the ball loops into the box. Maradona, eyes fixed on the prize, leaps. His hand, quick as a serpent, connects with the ball, nudging it past the towering Peter Shilton.

"GOAL!" screams the commentator, but before the roar can fully erupt, a calm, synthesized voice cuts through the stadium's loudspeakers. "Review initiated. Foul play detected. Handball by number 10, Diego Maradona. Goal disallowed."

A collective gasp sweeps through the Argentine faithful. Maradona, caught red-handed (literally), can only stare at the giant screen replaying his transgression in crystal clear 4K. The "Hand of God" is exposed, not as divine intervention, but as a clear violation. The score remains 0-0.

Four minutes later, the magic still flows. Maradona picks up the ball in his own half, a whirlwind of blue and white. He weaves, he dodges, he dances past one, two, three, four, five English defenders. He rounds Shilton, the goal gaping. The crowd holds its breath. He taps it in.

"GOAL OF THE CENTURY!" the commentator roars, this time without interruption. The AI system, after meticulously analyzing every stride, every feint, confirms its legitimacy. Pure, unadulterated genius.

But the psychological blow of the disallowed goal lingers. The English, emboldened by the overturned decision, press harder. The game becomes a brutal, tactical battle. Without the momentum of that controversial first goal, Argentina struggles to break the deadlock. The match goes to extra time, then penalties. In the shootout, a moment of hesitation, a missed shot, and England, not Argentina, advances.

The narrative shifts. Maradona is still a legend, his "Goal of the Century" forever etched in history. But the asterisk of the disallowed goal, the lack of a World Cup trophy in 1986, changes everything. The "trickster" image, once celebrated, now carries a heavier weight of scrutiny. The adoring crowds in Naples still cheer him, but the ultimate triumph, the cosmic kite soaring to glory, is denied. The World Cup, in this camera-laden reality, is won by another. Maradona, for all his brilliance, learns that even a god can be caught by an all-seeing eye.

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