The Setting: Naples,
the Home of a God
On June 13, 1990, the Soviet Union faced Argentina in a
do-or-die clash at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples. For Maradona, Naples was not
just a venue—it was his sanctuary. Playing for Napoli, he had become a deity to
the local fans, leading the club to unprecedented glory in Serie A. However,
the Soviet team could hardly count on Neapolitan neutrality.
The Soviets arrived in Italy as one of the tournament’s dark
horses. While not quite as favoured as Brazil, Italy, or the Netherlands, they
were still considered formidable contenders. However, their campaign had
started poorly with a loss to Romania. Similarly, Argentina, the defending
champions, had been stunned by Cameroon in their opener. The match against the
Soviets was a must-win for both teams, and tensions were high.
The Incident: A
Second Hand of God
The game remained goalless, with both teams fighting
desperately for survival in the tournament. Then came the pivotal moment that
would seal the Soviet Union’s fate. A corner kick swung into Argentina’s box,
and as the ball seemed destined to find the net, Diego Maradona intervened—not
with his head or feet, but with his hand.
The handball was blatant. Maradona’s arm moved deliberately
to block the ball, an action unmistakable to anyone watching. Igor Shalimov, a
Soviet midfielder, later recalled the incident with disbelief:
“The ball was heading into the goal, and the referee was six
meters away. He saw everything clearly. It wasn’t just that the ball hit his
hand—there was a movement of the hand. He hit the ball deliberately. It was
outrageous—not from Maradona, but from the referee.”
Swedish referee Erik Fredriksson, standing close to the
action, inexplicably waved play on, ignoring the Soviets’ protests. A penalty
for the Soviet Union at that juncture could have altered the game’s trajectory.
Instead, Argentina capitalized on their reprieve, eventually winning the match
2-0 and keeping their hopes of advancing alive.
The Fallout: Dreams
Shattered
The Soviet players and fans were left seething. The
incident, they believed, epitomized the injustice that had plagued their World
Cup journey. Shalimov lamented the referee’s decision:
“If we’d scored that penalty, we’d have had a chance. The
game was more or less equal, but we ended up losing 2-0. It was pitiful.”
The defeat effectively eliminated the Soviet Union from the
tournament. Although they thrashed Cameroon 4-0 in their final group match, it
was a hollow victory. Romania and Argentina played out a draw, ensuring both
teams advanced to the knockout stages while the Soviets were left to rue what
might have been.
Maradona: Genius or
Villain?
Maradona’s actions in Naples mirrored the duality of his
footballing legacy—a blend of genius and controversy. Just as in 1986, his
handball was not an act of brilliance but one of cunning survival. Shalimov,
however, held no grudges against the Argentine legend, acknowledging that
Maradona was merely doing whatever it took to keep his team alive:
“Maradona was just defending his goal as best he could. The
real outrage was the referee.”
For Maradona, the incident in Naples was another chapter in
his storied World Cup career, a testament to his ability to bend moments to his
will, often skirting the boundaries of fair play.
The Legacy of
Naples
The Soviet Union’s elimination in 1990 marked the end of an
era. The nation would dissolve by the end of the following year, and its
footballing identity would splinter into multiple successor states. For many
Soviet players, the handball incident symbolized not just the loss of a match
but the waning fortunes of a once-great footballing power.
For Argentina, the victory in Naples propelled them into the
knockout rounds, where they would embark on a gritty, controversial run to the
final. Maradona’s “Hand of God II” became a footnote in a tournament remembered
for its defensive tactics and dramatic upsets.
A Tale of Two
Hands
While the 1986 handball is immortalized in football folklore,
the 1990 incident remains overshadowed. Yet, in many ways, it is equally
significant. It highlights the fragile line between heroism and infamy, the
subjective nature of officiating, and the enduring mystique of Diego Maradona—a
player who could captivate and confound in equal measure.
In Naples, Maradona was a god among mortals. For the Soviets, however, he was a reminder of the capriciousness of fate and the cruel beauty of football.
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