The goal was scored a little bit by the hand of God, a little by the head of Maradona

The goal was scored a little bit by the hand of God, a little by the head of Maradona

In the world of soccer, there are moments that transcend the game itself and become part of the sport's folklore. One such moment occurred during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England, when Diego Maradona scored what would later be known as the "Hand of God" goal.

The goal in question came in the 51st minute of the match, with Maradona using his left hand to punch the ball into the net past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The referee failed to spot the handball, and the goal stood, much to the disbelief of the English players and fans. Maradona would later describe the goal as being scored "a little bit by the hand of God."

While the Hand of God goal was controversial and remains a source of debate to this day, Maradona's second goal in that same match is widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history. After receiving the ball in his own half, Maradona embarked on a mesmerizing 60-yard run, dribbling past five England players before slotting the ball past Shilton. This goal was later described by Maradona as being scored "a little by the head of Maradona."

The juxtaposition of these two goals perfectly encapsulates the duality of Maradona as a player. On one hand, he was capable of moments of brilliance that seemed almost otherworldly, such as his second goal against England. On the other hand, he was not above using less-than-ethical means to achieve his goals, as evidenced by the Hand of God goal.

Despite the controversy surrounding the Hand of God goal, Maradona's performance in that match solidified his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His combination of skill, flair, and sheer audacity made him a player who could single-handedly change the course of a match, as he did against England in 1986. The phrase "a little bit by the hand of God, a little by the head of Maradona" has since become synonymous with the Argentine legend and serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy in the world of soccer.