"Hand of God" Goal

Champagne flowed in torrents as Argentinian soccer legend Maradona celebrated the 20th anniversary of his infamous "Hand of God" goal in a Frankfurt restaurant this week vowing Argentina would win the World Cup, by beating England in the final.


"We're the best. We're unbeatable!" Maradona shouted to cheers from a dozen friends with whom he descended on a Frankfurt pizza restaurant on Wednesday night after Argentina's goalless draw against Holland, according to a Bild newspaper reporter who was in the restaurant.

"We were world champions 20 years ago and we'll win again! We will beat the English again. In the final!"

England fans would have liked to see him choke on his pizza. The man widely acknowledged as one of the greatest footballers of all time ironically used his hand to score his most famous goal, on June 22, 1986, in a World Cup quarter final against England.

In front of 114,000 spectators at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, the diminutive striker rose above goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the English net with his fist. The referee didn't spot the trick and allowed the goal. Maradona scored again later, dribbling his way from midfield in a sensational run that left England's defenders looking like cardboard cutouts, and Argentina won 2-1. It went on to win the World Cup

After the match, Maradona described the goal to reporters as "un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios" (a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God). It became one of the most famous quotes in sport.

Maradona recently discussed the first goal in a BBC interview with Gary Lineker, the leading scorer of the 1986 Cup with England. "I don't think it's cheating, it's cunning," Maradona said. "I said it was the `Hand of God' because God gives us the hand. And because it is very difficult for it not to be seen by two people, the referee and the linesman."

Maradona has turned into something of a cheerleader for Argentina in this World Cup, hopping and dancing in the stands during matches.