Diego Maradona single-handedly carried Argentina to their second title, scoring both the infamous "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century" in the same quarterfinal against England.
The 1986 FIFA World Cup kicked off at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with Bulgaria holding Italy to a 1–1 draw. It was the first World Cup to feature a Round of 16 knockout stage, expanding the knockout phase from previous editions. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FIFA_World_Cup
Argentina won Group A with two wins and a draw, while reigning champions Italy advanced as runners-up. Bulgaria also reached the Round of 16 as a third-placed team, leaving South Korea eliminated without a point. Source — Wikipedia:
Hosts Mexico topped Group B with two wins and a draw, igniting passionate home support. Paraguay finished as runners-up, while Belgium advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and Iraq were eliminated. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_B
The Soviet Union won Group C emphatically, including a 6–0 demolition of Hungary. France finished as runners-up, while Hungary's elimination was sealed by the heaviest defeat of the tournament. Source — Wikipedia:
Brazil won Group D with two wins and a draw, continuing their rich World Cup tradition. Spain finished as runners-up, while Northern Ireland and Algeria were both eliminated. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_D
Denmark shocked the tournament by winning Group E, including a stunning 2–0 victory over West Germany. West Germany advanced as runners-up, while Uruguay claimed a third-place spot and Scotland were eliminated. Source — Wikipedia:
England recovered from a 1–0 loss to Portugal and a 0–0 draw with Morocco to beat Poland 3–0 and advance as group runners-up behind Portugal. Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_F
Argentina edged Uruguay 1–0 at the Estadio Azteca, with Pedro Pasculli scoring the only goal in the 42nd minute. The narrow victory kept Diego Maradona's tournament alive and sent Argentina into the quarterfinals. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_v_Uruguay_(1986_World_Cup)
Belgium knocked out the Soviet Union 4–3 after extra time in one of the tournament's most thrilling matches. Igor Belanov scored a hat-trick for the Soviets, but Jan Ceulemans and Stéphane Demol led a dramatic Belgian comeback. Source — Wikipedia: )
Hosts Mexico beat Bulgaria 2–0 at the Estadio Azteca, with Manuel Negrete scoring a spectacular volley and Raúl Servín adding a second. The victory sent Mexico to the quarterfinals for only the second time in their history. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_v_Bulgaria_(1986_World_Cup)
France eliminated reigning champions Italy 2–0 with goals from Michel Platini and Yannick Stopyra. The victory avenged France's 1982 World Cup semifinal defeat and sent them into a quarterfinal against Brazil. Source — Wikipedia: )
Brazil cruised past Poland 4–0 with two goals from Careca and two from Sócrates. The emphatic win confirmed Brazil as tournament favorites and set up a quarterfinal clash with France. Source — Wikipedia: )
West Germany needed an 87th-minute goal from Lothar Matthäus to beat Morocco 1–0 and avoid a major upset. Morocco's historic knockout appearance ended in brave defeat against the European champions. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Germany_v_Morocco_(1986_World_Cup)
Spain demolished surprise group winners Denmark 5–1, with Emilio Butragueño scoring four goals. The rout ended Denmark's fairytale run and sent Spain to a quarterfinal against Belgium. Source — Wikipedia: )
England beat Paraguay 3–0 with goals from Gary Lineker (2) and Peter Beardsley. Lineker's brace took his tournament tally to five goals, making him the Golden Boot frontrunner. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_v_Paraguay_(1986_World_Cup)
West Germany beat hosts Mexico 4–1 on penalties after a 0–0 draw, ending the host nation's dream run. Mexico missed two penalties in the shootout while the Germans converted all four of theirs. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Germany_v_Mexico_(1986_World_Cup)
In the 51st minute, Maradona punched the ball over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton for Argentina's first goal, unseen by referee Ali Bin Nasser. Maradona later said the goal was scored 'a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.' Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina beat England 2–1 in a match forever defined by Diego Maradona's two contrasting goals. The game was played against the charged political backdrop of the Falklands War, intensifying its significance for both nations. Source — Wikipedia: )
France eliminated Brazil in a classic quarterfinal, winning 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Michel Platini and Careca scored in regulation, and Sócrates missed a penalty in the shootout to send France through. Source — Wikipedia: )
Four minutes after the Hand of God, Maradona collected the ball in his own half and dribbled past five England players over 60 metres before rounding Shilton to score. FIFA later voted it the Goal of the Century in 2002. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goal_of_the_Century
Belgium reached their first World Cup semifinal by beating Spain 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Emilio Butragueño missed in the shootout, and Belgium goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff proved decisive. Source — Wikipedia: )
West Germany beat France 2–0 with goals from Andreas Brehme and Rudi Völler, avenging their 1982 semifinal shootout defeat. The victory sent West Germany to their second consecutive World Cup Final. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Germany_v_France_(1986_World_Cup)
Argentina reached the Final with a 2–0 win over Belgium, both goals scored by Diego Maradona. His second goal, a clinical finish after beating two defenders, confirmed his total dominance of the tournament. Source — Wikipedia: )
France beat Belgium 4–2 after extra time to finish third, with Jean-Pierre Papin scoring the winner in the 111th minute. The match was Belgium's best World Cup finish to date, matching their 1986 semifinal run. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_v_Belgium_(1986_World_Cup)
Argentina won their second World Cup with a 3–2 victory over West Germany at the Estadio Azteca. José Luis Brown, Jorge Valdano, and Jorge Burruchaga scored for Argentina, with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Völler equalizing twice before Burruchaga's 84th-minute winner. Source — Wikipedia:
