Alternative Football History Part II – Diego Maradona’s handball incident, World Cup 1986

Every football fan knows that Argentina beat England 2-1 in the World Cup Quarter Final in Mexico and it still hurts many England fans to this day.

Both of the goals that Diego Maradona scored in the game have gone into football history.

The first goal was deliberately punched into the net by Maradona and the referee and linesman must have been the only people in the huge Azteca Stadium not to have seen it happen.

The second goal was a piece of pure brilliance with Maradona taking the ball from out wide, taking on the English defence with ease before rounding Peter Shilton and tapping the ball into the goal.

Here is a brief video of the game to watch before we goal to the Alternative version of events:

But what if the referee did see the handball?  Here is what could have happened next…

It’s 4 years after the Falkand’s War, a conflict between Britain and Argentina and lo and behold, the two are paired against each other in the World Cup Quarter Final.

Diego Maradon takes centre stage. The little Argentinian striker is a world-class player and England must keep a real eye on him.

The first half ends goalless and was rather a dull affair with neither team really carving out any real goal-scoring chances.

The game springs into life on 51 minutes with a moment of controversy.

England’s Steve Hodge mis-hits a clearance up into the air and it goes back towards his goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Argentina’s Diego Maradona jumps up to get to the ball and punches the ball past Shilton and it bounces slowly over the line.  Maradona runs off to celebrate but seconds later is stopped in his tracks as the Tunisian referee Ali Ben Nasser has blown his whistle.

At first glance it looked as if Maradona had managed to head the ball past Shilton but the referee was signalling for a free kick to England for handball. The press watch the replays and they confirm that the referee was correct.

Maradona is incredulous and follows the referee shouting at him and demanding that a goal be given. Eventually the referee has had enough and shows Maradona a yellow card for dissent.

He had to be dragged away by his team mate Jorge Burruchaga before play resumes with Peter Shilton taking the free kick from inside the England penalty area.

Worse is to follow for both Maradona and Argentina as four minutes later Maradona is given a second yellow card and is sent off the field.

He started with the ball out on the wing and dribbled past a couple of England players. Out of nowhere Peter Reid comes in and hacks Maradona to the ground and is given a yellow card for the cynical foul.

Maradona gets up off the floor, runs over to Reid and shoves him to the ground right in front of the referee who swiftly waves a yellow card at Reid and then Maradona. He then reaches into his pocket and waves his red card at Maradona.

With Argentina down to 10 men, England have the numerical advantage and take the lead on 81 minutes with a goal from their ace goalscorer Gary Lineker.

England hold onto their 1-0 lead and face Belgium in the semi final. They won 2-0, Peter Beardsley and Gary Lineker scoring to take England through to the second World Cup Final.

The 1986 World Cup Final is the same fixture as the 1966 with England pitting their wits against West Germany. The game finishes 1-0 to West Germany, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge scoring the winner on 73 minutes.

England return to a heroes welcome at Luton Airport despite losing in the Final and Bobby Robson is knighted for his efforts.