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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Pleat

My Mexico 1986 memories of Maradona, the Azteca and a commentary faux pas

Diego Maradona uses his hand to score for Argentina against England
Diego Maradona uses his hand to score for Argentina against England at the Azteca Stadium in the 1986 World Cup. Photograph: Daniel Motz/Alamy

When I took my first television work with ITV at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, I never imagined I would attend a game that would be an iconic “I was there” day. England against Argentina at the Azteca Stadium in front of 114,000 people featured, thanks to Diego Maradona, first the most controversial goal in World Cup history, then the best I have seen live.

The match was unforgettable and even the buildup sticks in the memory. The traffic in Mexico City was bumper to bumper, it took ages to travel short distances and if you were unlucky you would meet one of the corrupt local policemen who would challenge the driver and expect small recompense.

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