Mexico 1986
The 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico is enshrined in football lore, a tournament where the sublime skill of Diego Maradona was on full display, leading Argentina to their second World Cup triumph. Held at high altitudes and in the sweltering heat, the competition was a test of endurance and skill, producing some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history. Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal and his breathtaking "Goal of the Century" against England in the quarter-finals underscored his complex genius. The tournament was also characterized by its high-scoring matches and the attacking flair of teams like Belgium and France. The final in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, where Argentina overcame West Germany 3-2, was a fitting climax to a World Cup that had vibrancy and drama in abundance.
Winners and awards
Diego Maradona
Harald Schumacher
Preben Elkjær
Gary Lineker
Emilio ButragueñoDiego Maradona
Careca
Enzo ScifoKnockout stage
group stage
| Group A | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Argentina | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
2  Italy | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
3  Bulgaria | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
4  South Korea | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| Group C | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Soviet Union | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 5 |
2  France | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
3  Hungary | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 2 |
4  Canada | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Group D | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Brazil | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
2 Spain | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
3  Northern Ireland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
4  Algeria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Group E | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Denmark | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 6 |
2 West Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
3  Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
4  Scotland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Top scorers
Gary Lineker (6) Careca (5)Diego Maradona (5)Emilio Butragueño (5)Alessandro Altobelli (4)Preben Elkjær (4)Ihor Belanov (4)Jorge Valdano (4)Nico Claesen (3)Jan Ceulemans (3)