The Forgotten Masterpiece: Maradona’s Sublime Goal Against Belgium
Diego Maradona’s brilliance in the 1986 FIFA World Cup is often encapsulated by his otherworldly goal against England in the quarterfinals. The "Goal of the Century," as it came to be known, stands as a symbol of footballing genius. Yet, in the cacophony of accolades for that goal, his second against Belgium in the semifinals remains criminally underappreciated—a dazzling, almost ethereal display of skill that deserves equal reverence. The Context: Redemption and Opportunity Four years prior, at Camp Nou, Belgium had stunned Argentina in the opening match of the 1982 World Cup. Maradona, then a rising star, found himself ensnared in a forest of Belgian defenders, unable to weave his magic. Fast forward to 1986, and the stakes were far higher: a semifinal at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, with over 115,000 spectators bearing witness. Belgium had earned their place with grit and flair, toppling the Soviet Union and Spain, two of the tournament’s strongest teams. Arg...