My Mexico 1986 memories of Maradona, the Azteca and a commentary faux pas | David Pleat

Working at the 1986 World Cup match was unforgettable thanks to the most controversial goal in history and then the best I have seen live

When I took my first television work with ITV at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, I never imagined I would attend a game that would be an iconic “I was there” day. England against Argentina at the Azteca Stadium in front of 114,000 people featured, thanks to Diego Maradona, first the most controversial goal in World Cup history, then the best I have seen live.

The match was unforgettable and even the buildup sticks in the memory. The traffic in Mexico City was bumper to bumper, it took ages to travel short distances and if you were unlucky you would meet one of the corrupt local policemen who would challenge the driver and expect small recompense.

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