Argentina honors Maradona on 40th anniversary of the “Hand of God” goal.

By Adegboyega Adeleye

On Monday, Argentina’s fans, players and coaching staff remembered Diego Maradona as the reigning world champions played Austria in their second Group J match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, with the late icon’s influence still felt.

The day was especially meaningful because June 22 is the 40th anniversary of Maradona’s unforgettable display in Argentina’s 2‑1 quarter‑final win over England at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

That match saw Maradona score both the infamous “Hand of God” and the celebrated “Goal of the Century,” dribbling past several England players before scoring. In Argentina, the anniversary is observed as the Day of the Argentine Footballer.

More than five years after his death, Maradona continues to be a central figure for Argentine fans, sharing the status of national football icon with Lionel Messi.

During the opening week of the tournament, fans in Kansas City, Argentina’s base, displayed large banners that featured Maradona’s image and references.

The tributes accompanied the team to Texas, where supporters kept honoring the 1986 World Cup winner before Monday’s match against Austria.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also recalled Maradona’s unforgettable goal against England in his pre‑match remarks.

“I think I was at home, at my grandmother’s house, because we all lived there. There were, I don’t know how many of us living there; we didn’t have our own home. It was a very small TV,” Scaloni recalled.

“Emotional. I didn’t know tomorrow was the anniversary of that great goal, so let’s enjoy it. We will see it everywhere tomorrow. We’ll cry a little too.”

Austria also figures in Maradona’s international career, as the Argentine legend scored his sole international hat‑trick against the Austrians in a 5‑1 win in 1980.

Maradona died on 25 November 2020, aged 60, after suffering a heart attack while recovering from brain surgery.