The 1986 Football World Cup was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 29. It was won by Argentina, who beat West Germany 3-2 in the final at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.
Event
The tournament was originally scheduled in 1974 to be hosted by Colombia, but after the Colombian authorities declared in late 1982 that they could not afford to host the World Cup, Mexico was selected in May 20th,1983 in Stockholm between the bids of Canada and United States (who eventually hosted the 1994 Tournament) as replacement host and became the first nation to host two Football World Cups. This second World Cup in Mexico came only 16 years after the first one in 1970. A severe earthquake in September 1985 eight months before the tournament cast doubt over Mexico's ability to organize the event. However the stadiums were not affected and it was decided to go ahead with the preparations.
The format of the competition changed from 1982: again 24 teams qualified and were divided into six groups of four. But the second round was replaced by a knockout competition, for which 16 teams: six group winners, six second place finishers, and four best third place finishers would qualify. Also, in response to a controversial 1982 match in which West Germany and Austria produced exactly the result which both teams knew beforehand would advance them to the next phase at the expense of Algeria, FIFA decreed that the final two matches in all groups kick off simultaneously.
It was the tournament of Diego Maradona who was at the peak of his form and he led the Argentinean team to the title. His most memorable performance probably came during the quarter final against England, where he scored both goals in the 2-1 victory. Maradona's first was assisted, in his own words, by the "hand of God" (unseen by the referee, he used his hand to score the goal) and the other was considered to be the Goal of the Century, in which he dribbled half the length of the field past five English players before scoring.
France were one of the teams of the tournament. "Les Bleus" showed their class in ousting Italy, the world champions, in their second round game, 2-0, before overcoming Brazil in Guadalajara - rather fortuitously but with a great deal of flair - in one of the greatest matches of all time. Tele Santana's Brazilians twice hit the woodwork and frequently overran Michel Platini and his French side, who eventually won the day largely due to the performance of their goalkeeper Joël Bats. Among other feats, he managed to save a Zico penalty 12 minutes from time. After winning a nail-biting penalty shoot-out (1-1 at full time, then 4-3 on penalties), the French reached the semis. But here, just as in Spain four years earlier, their dreams of FIFA World Cup glory were foiled by a fresher German eleven.
The Germans, playing in their fifth final, once again stumbled at the last step. Beaten by Italy and Paolo Rossi in 1982, this time they were pipped at the post (3-2) by the Argentinians, led by Diego Maradona, fresh from their 2-0 victory over a plucky Belgian side in the semis. Argentina's victory was as deserved as it was unexpected. The team was solid but uninspired, and it was a masterful Maradona that virtually won the FIFA World Cup for his country single-handed. His brilliance and goal-scoring prowess (five goals) made him, quite naturally, the Player of the Tournament. The only cloud over the proceedings came in the quarter-finals when he scored with his hand against England. This did not, however, spoil the party in Argentina, where 30 million people celebrated in the streets after the final victory.
Germany won their second World Cup semi-final against France in a row (following their defeat of France in 1982) only to lose their second World Cup final in a row.
Gary Lineker of England won the Golden Boot as the leading scorer of the World Cup, scoring six goals.
The Portuguese national team went on strike during the competition. Players refused to train between their first and the second games (against England and Poland) and were eliminated by Morocco. Canada, Denmark and Iraq made their first World Cup appearances in this tournament, Iraq and Canada both being dismissed at the group stage with three losses, Denmark finishing top of their Group with three wins.
During the Group E game between Uruguay and Scotland, José Batista of Uruguay was sent off after less than a minute - a record that still stands in World Cup finals.
Mascot
Pique was the mascot of this World Cup. Pique, an anthropomorphic chili pepper wearing the Mexican football team colours, appeared on many merchandising items.
Event
The tournament was originally scheduled in 1974 to be hosted by Colombia, but after the Colombian authorities declared in late 1982 that they could not afford to host the World Cup, Mexico was selected in May 20th,1983 in Stockholm between the bids of Canada and United States (who eventually hosted the 1994 Tournament) as replacement host and became the first nation to host two Football World Cups. This second World Cup in Mexico came only 16 years after the first one in 1970. A severe earthquake in September 1985 eight months before the tournament cast doubt over Mexico's ability to organize the event. However the stadiums were not affected and it was decided to go ahead with the preparations.
The format of the competition changed from 1982: again 24 teams qualified and were divided into six groups of four. But the second round was replaced by a knockout competition, for which 16 teams: six group winners, six second place finishers, and four best third place finishers would qualify. Also, in response to a controversial 1982 match in which West Germany and Austria produced exactly the result which both teams knew beforehand would advance them to the next phase at the expense of Algeria, FIFA decreed that the final two matches in all groups kick off simultaneously.
It was the tournament of Diego Maradona who was at the peak of his form and he led the Argentinean team to the title. His most memorable performance probably came during the quarter final against England, where he scored both goals in the 2-1 victory. Maradona's first was assisted, in his own words, by the "hand of God" (unseen by the referee, he used his hand to score the goal) and the other was considered to be the Goal of the Century, in which he dribbled half the length of the field past five English players before scoring.
France were one of the teams of the tournament. "Les Bleus" showed their class in ousting Italy, the world champions, in their second round game, 2-0, before overcoming Brazil in Guadalajara - rather fortuitously but with a great deal of flair - in one of the greatest matches of all time. Tele Santana's Brazilians twice hit the woodwork and frequently overran Michel Platini and his French side, who eventually won the day largely due to the performance of their goalkeeper Joël Bats. Among other feats, he managed to save a Zico penalty 12 minutes from time. After winning a nail-biting penalty shoot-out (1-1 at full time, then 4-3 on penalties), the French reached the semis. But here, just as in Spain four years earlier, their dreams of FIFA World Cup glory were foiled by a fresher German eleven.
The Germans, playing in their fifth final, once again stumbled at the last step. Beaten by Italy and Paolo Rossi in 1982, this time they were pipped at the post (3-2) by the Argentinians, led by Diego Maradona, fresh from their 2-0 victory over a plucky Belgian side in the semis. Argentina's victory was as deserved as it was unexpected. The team was solid but uninspired, and it was a masterful Maradona that virtually won the FIFA World Cup for his country single-handed. His brilliance and goal-scoring prowess (five goals) made him, quite naturally, the Player of the Tournament. The only cloud over the proceedings came in the quarter-finals when he scored with his hand against England. This did not, however, spoil the party in Argentina, where 30 million people celebrated in the streets after the final victory.
Germany won their second World Cup semi-final against France in a row (following their defeat of France in 1982) only to lose their second World Cup final in a row.
Gary Lineker of England won the Golden Boot as the leading scorer of the World Cup, scoring six goals.
The Portuguese national team went on strike during the competition. Players refused to train between their first and the second games (against England and Poland) and were eliminated by Morocco. Canada, Denmark and Iraq made their first World Cup appearances in this tournament, Iraq and Canada both being dismissed at the group stage with three losses, Denmark finishing top of their Group with three wins.
During the Group E game between Uruguay and Scotland, José Batista of Uruguay was sent off after less than a minute - a record that still stands in World Cup finals.
Mascot
Pique was the mascot of this World Cup. Pique, an anthropomorphic chili pepper wearing the Mexican football team colours, appeared on many merchandising items.
