MEXICO CITY (AP) — Last memory of a competitive match for England. Estadio Azteca It’s not fun.
On June 22, 1986, during the quarterfinals, world cupArgentina defeated England 2-1 en route to lifting the trophy.
That match is etched in the memories of soccer fans around the world and was defined by the deceased. Diego Maradona He scored two of the most famous and contrasting goals in the history of the sport: the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century.
In the first match, Maradona punched a loose ball with his left hand past the advancing Peter Shilton. Minutes later, the Argentine great controlled the ball in his own half, danced his way through half of the England team, and scored what some consider to be the greatest goal in World Cup history.
“Everyone remembers that game. It was an iconic goal. Yes, there were two iconic goals in this stadium,” England manager Thomas Tuchel said on Saturday, the day before England face Mexico in the round of 16.
To commemorate Maradona’s feat, the stadium’s owners installed a plaque in one of the tunnels leading to the pitch. Regular tours of the venue when the World Cup is not in progress draw tourists from all over the world, especially Argentinians, to take photos.
“It still hurts, the wound is open, but we are not here for revenge,” Tuchel said.
England faces different enemies in different times
Tuchel, who will be in charge of England at the World Cup for the first time, downplayed the historical burden.
“It’s the same stadium, but it’s not the same opponent. Even if it were, there would be no point in seeking revenge,” Tuchel said. “We are here to write a new chapter.”
Forty years after that heartbreaking game, the story has changed. This time England’s enemy is not Argentina, but the hosts.
Mexico will look to take advantage of Estadio Azteca’s high altitude, more than 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level, backed by an enthusiastic home crowd.
“It will take a lot of courage to give our best performance against Mexico, but we have a brave team,” Tuchel said. “We have an experienced team as well as a young team that is ready to take on these challenges.”
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