Isle Of Wight Journalist Recalls Watching Maradona Score His 'Hand Of God' Goal In Mexico

EXCLUSIVE: A journalist on the Isle of Wight has recalled the moment he watched Diego Maradona score his infamous 'Hand of God' goal at the 1986 Mexico World Cup.

The legendary Argentine footballer died of a heart attack yesterday (Wednesday), aged 60, but the debate is likely to continue for a long time as to whether he was the best ever, or his reputation forever tarnished for being a cheat.

Maradona is as much remembered for his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico as his silky soccer skills throughout his illustrious career.

Former national newspaper journalist and Beacon magazine editor, Peter White, was working for Midlands newspaper - Express and Star - at the time and was in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the World Cup quarter-final match between England and Argentina.

It was the controversial match that ended England’s hopes of winning the World Cup in '86.

Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, Peter, said: 

“There were about 120,000 people in the stadium that day and the atmosphere was something like I had never experienced before.

"There was already tension in the game as it was held just four years after the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom, and played a key part in the already intense Argentina/England football rivalry."

Caption: Peter in the goal in the Azteca Stadium where Maradona's Hand of God goal was scored

The game was turned on its head in the 51st minute, where Maradona out jumped England goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, with TV replays confirming the forward used his hand to punch the ball into the net. He then went on to score one of the greatest goals ever seen at a major tournament.

Peter continued: 

"I think everyone saw Maradona’s blatant handball, apart from the only person who mattered - the referee!

"Everybody knew it was handball. No-one could believe it had been given as a goal. Everybody in the press box, particularly the English journalists, were just shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Later in the game Maradona went on to score one of the best goals ever seen at a World Cup, but that was always eclipsed by his ‘Hand of God’ goal that cheated England."

The match finished 2-1 to Argentina and sent England home.

Caption: Crows gather in the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City

Peter added:

“The morning after the game I was one of only two journalists invited into England manager Bobby Robson’s hotel room. I remember Bobby was absolutely devastated that England had been knocked out of the competition. He was convinced we were going to win the World Cup that year, and probably would have done if Maradona hadn’t cheated."

"Yes, Maradona was one of the best I ever saw, along with Pele, George Best and Johan Cruyff, but I still believe that ‘Hand of God’ goal cast a huge shadow over him throughout the rest of his life.”

Maradona played for Barcelona and Napoli during his club career, also playing for Sevilla, and Boca Juniors and Newell's Old Boys in his homeland.

He scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina, representing them in four World Cups.

Declaring three days of national mourning, Alberto Fernandez, the president of Argentina, said: "You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of them all. Thank you for having existed, Diego. We're going to miss you all our lives."