Legendary day! Exactly 40 years ago, Maradona destroyed England at the 1986 World Cup
Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
Exactly 40 years ago, Argentina defeated England 2-1 at the 1986 World Cup, with Diego Maradona emerging as the undisputed hero of the match.
Details: Maradona scored twice in that game. In addition, the Argentine made 16 dribbles—still the highest number by any player in a World Cup match against England since 1966.
That encounter became one of the most iconic in football history. It was against England that Maradona scored two legendary goals: first, the controversial 'Hand of God,' and then the unforgettable solo effort, weaving past several defenders before finishing in style.
Four decades later, the statistics only make his performance stand out even more. Maradona didn’t just decide the outcome—he delivered one of the most electrifying individual displays in World Cup history.
Reminder: Earlier, we reported that Lionel Messi scores against Austria and becomes the top scorer in World Cup history
