Hand of God’s Goal

Something which everyone remembers from the 1986 World Cup is the goal scored by Diego Maradona against England. The well known goal, known as Hand of God goal, is considered to be the most controversial goal till the present day in world football. The goal was scored under the referring of Ali Bin Nasser (from Tunisia) when the latter failed to judge whether the goal was scored unfairly. This goal was scored in the same match when Maradona scored the goal of the century by scoring the second goal after dribbling past five English players including the goalkeeper Shilton. Thus, the match becomes important for two reasons and is famous in the footballing world.

Maradona had scored the goal six minutes after the second half had started. Even though the English goalkeeper (whose height was more than 6ft), Maradona was able to bluff him while scoring a goal with his hand. Later in the post match press conference, Maradona had said that the goal was scored "un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios" (which means that the goal was scored partly by the head of mine and partly by the hand of God). From thence the goal came to be known as hand of god goal.

It was seen so badly by England who claimed that the goal had costed them the World Cup in the year 1986. England’s coach Bobby Robson after the match had criticized the referee by saying that one could not expect such poor decisions in the world cup level. He was right in making such a comment but the whole incident occurred in such quick succession that very few people could notice it. It was only when the picture was published in the newspaper and the replay (of the incident) was seen on TV that people got to know about it. Most people were shocked because they could not believe that such a wonderful player, who was also the captain of Argentina, could use such foul means to score a goal.

The controversy was not taken well by the Argentinian fans because thay always had an excuse of the second goal which was scored three minutes later by Maradona. The Argentinians always heap praises on Maradona by saying that the second goal (which later became goal of the century) is the one the Englishmen should be seeking to understand and accept the defeat.

The controversy triggered by the goal caused havoc in the media and people all around the world started. The first goal was called the “scandal of the century” by German press agency DPA. Few people comment on the action of the two referees after the goal was scored. The referee and his linesman looked at each other while Maradona was celebrating the goal. Their looks at each other suggested confusion in their eyes. Their lack of instant action led to the goal being allowed. The referee Bin Nasser said in the fifteenth anniversary of the match to an Argentinian magazine saying that he believed in the linesman’s decision and trusted him. Thus he was sure not to change his decision. And he also said that besides the decision, he had a very good game on that iconic day.

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