“There Was Never a ‘Hand of God’”

It was June 22, 1986. Argentina faced England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup at Mexico’s Azteca Stadium. The first half ended goalless — 0-0. After the break, both teams pushed hard to ramp up their attacks the moment the whistle blew again.

Just six minutes into the second half, Maradona passed the ball to Jorge Valdano from outside the penalty box. Valdano tried to create an opening, dribbling past several English defenders, but his shot landed at the feet of England midfielder Steve Hodge, who attempted to clear it back toward goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Maradona darted forward, trying to intercept the ball. Shilton saw him coming and jumped to punch it away with his right hand. Maradona, right in front of Shilton, leaped and headed the ball — but it brushed off his left hand. The ball landed in England’s net, sparking wild celebration among Argentine fans.

The Tunisian referee, Ali Ben Nasser, allowed the goal to stand despite fierce protests from the English players who clearly saw Maradona’s hand touch the ball.

That match, which Argentina eventually won, would be remembered by football fans as one of the most controversial goals in the sport’s history. When asked about it afterward, Maradona claimed the historic goal came from his head — and the “hand of God.” At least, that’s what he said for many years.

God as the Scapegoat?

The year 1986 was just four years after the Falklands War of 1982. That year, Argentina had invaded the Falkland Islands — a small archipelago geographically located within Argentina’s maritime zone, only about 500 kilometers from the coast of Patagonia, near the border with Chile. However, the islands were still a British colony, held since the colonial era.

Illustration: pexel.com

Nearly 700 Argentine soldiers died in the ten-week conflict. Overpowered by Britain’s superior military technology, Argentina was defeated — and has never attempted to reclaim the islands again. Still, resentment burned in the hearts of the Argentine people.

For Maradona, as he revealed in his biographical documentary, the Argentina vs. England match was an opportunity for revenge. And who wouldn’t feel anger at being told they had no right to a place that so clearly lies within their own territory?

That kind of bitterness doesn’t fade with time. It persists — in many places, in many hearts — as similar injustices repeat across the world. Over time, people start doubting their ability to achieve what they deserve, as high hopes crash hard against the ground of reality.

It’s in those dark moments that people look for something to hold on to — often religion. But this lantern doesn’t always shine bright in everyone’s hands. Not because faith itself is flawed, but because some never learn how to adjust the flame so it can truly light their way.

Liberating Responsibility

Long before AI was invented to make our lives easier, humans already sought ways to escape responsibility — quick and simple. This mindset stems from the belief that responsibility is a kind of burden, samsara that keeping us from fully enjoying life.

“We, the Argentine people, didn’t really know what our military was doing. They told us we were winning the war. But in truth, it was as if England had beaten us 20-0. It was painful. The atmosphere before that match was tense, heroic even — like we were going to war against England again,” Maradona said in an interview featured in the documentary Diego Maradona.

“I knew it was my hand that made the goal. I didn’t mean to do it, but the linesman didn’t see it. The referee looked at me and said, ‘Goal.’ It felt amazing — a symbolic revenge against England.”

Football fans often link Maradona’s behavior to the concept of vivezza criolla — roughly meaning “native cunning.” The phrase refers to the tendency among South Americans to do whatever it takes to achieve a goal, even if it means bending the rules.

Maradona’s handball — any player other than the goalkeeper touching the ball with their hand — took place inside England’s penalty box. Technically, it should have resulted in a penalty for England. Maradona, a brilliant footballer with a religious background, invoked God in justifying his “illegal” goal.

But in truth, Maradona freed himself from the burden — the samsara — of that act later in life when he admitted his mistake. It wasn’t the “hand of God,” he confessed. It was the hand of Diego. (dswas)