Forty years after Diego Maradona's dual moments of infamy and brilliance in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England, the late Argentine football icon's reflections on the match offer a window into the complex emotions surrounding the game. In his book, "Touched by God – How We Won The Mexico ’86 World Cup," Maradona revisited the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the subsequent "Goal of the Century," detailing his unapologetic stance on the handball and the heightened context of the Falklands War.
Maradona, who died in November 2020, recounted the "Hand of God" incident with characteristic candor. "I’m not sorry for scoring with my hand. Not sorry at all!" he wrote. He explained his actions as an extension of childhood play, asserting that he took his chances when the ball fell to him. "I hit it with my fist, but it went in as if I had kicked it hard," he recalled, noting that neither the referee nor England's goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, saw the handball.
Maradona also shared his perspective on how England received the controversial goal, referencing a conversation with former England captain Gary Lineker. While Lineker suggested the English would view it as cheating, Maradona described it as "cunning" and the perpetrator as "clever."
Despite the intense rivalry and the historical backdrop, Maradona expressed a surprising degree of respect for England's conduct during the match. He recalled an instance where an on-field collision between players might have escalated with other nations but resulted in handshakes and apologies with the English. He also mentioned that England player Steve Hodge approached him to swap shirts after the game, and other English players also sought shirt swaps in the locker room.
However, tensions resurfaced during post-match drug tests, where Maradona noted the anger of England defender Terry Butcher. Butcher, he recalled, questioned him about the handball, to which Maradona maintained he had scored with his head.
The shadow of the 1982 Falklands War loomed large over the 1986 match. Maradona acknowledged the war's influence, stating, "During the build-up, everyone had the Falklands War on their mind. How could they not?" He viewed Argentina's victory as a way to honor the fallen soldiers and provide solace to their families. "Eliminating them from the World Cup in the quarter-finals was like forcing them to surrender. It was a battle, oh yes, but on my battlefield," he asserted.
Maradona's second goal, a dazzling run from the halfway line past multiple English defenders, became known as the "Goal of the Century." While he admitted to scoring technically better goals in his youth, he emphasized the unparalleled importance of this goal given its context. "And that kind of insanity can only be explained by one goal. Or maybe two. My goals against the English," he reflected.
Reflecting on the modern era, Maradona also commented on Lionel Messi. At the time of the book's publication, Messi was still seeking major international success with Argentina, a stark contrast to his later achievements, including the 2022 World Cup victory. Maradona placed Messi among the all-time greats but questioned who would carry Argentina's legacy after him. "But I’d like to ask a final heartfelt question. If we don’t want to let another thirty years go by before bringing the World Cup home again: what comes after Messi?" he mused.
As England and Argentina prepare to potentially meet again in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, Maradona's words serve as a potent reminder of the enduring legacy and controversy of their 1986 encounter. 
