This was Diego Maradona’s World Cup as the “Pelusa” almost single-handedly won Argentina the showpiece and scored that goal against England, which is the best goal ever scored in the history of World Cup.
There was again a change in the format, with the second round being replaced by a pre-quarter final, knockout competition for which 16 teams would qualify. The final two matches in all groups would also kick off simultaneously, to ensure complete fairness. Canada, Denmark and Iraq made their first finals.
The England and Argentina quarter-final is till date remembered for two remarkable Maradona goals. First, the controversial handball goal, and the second, considered to be the Goal of the Century in which he dribbled half the length of the field past five English players before scoring.
In the final, Argentina edged out West Germany 3—2 in a victory inspired Maradona, who set up Jorge Burruchaga for the winner.
José Batista of Uruguay set a World Cup record being sent off after a mere 56 seconds into the game against Scotland.
