Remembering the 1986 Winners of the FIFA World Cup

In the semi-final, Argentina played a solid if unspectacular Belgium side. As the favourites, they won by two clear goals to nil to set up a final clash with West Germany. Maradona scored both goals in the match to sink Belgium.

West Germany had not conceded a goal in their knockout games and had beaten the hosts Mexico, along with France and Morocco. They were also European champions. Although their form in the group stages was a little mixed, they were not easy opponents in the final.

The final provided an enthralling game. West Germany was not about to lie down to Argentina in the final, but they would fall two goals behind. Later in the game, however, they would come back to level the scores at 2-2.

Near the end, it was a Maradona pass that would set up the final and decisive third goal to make the score 3-2. A terrific final had ended with a second World Cup sealed for Argentina.

So, the FIFA World Cup was won by Argentina in 1986. In the end, they had beaten some difficult teams to win and played some fine soccer too. Perhaps they deserved to win it, despite the cheating against England.

Was the 1986 Team Argentina’s Best Ever Side?

The answer isn’t obvious because the 1986 team wasn’t the only Argentina team to win the World Cup. Argentina also won the 1978 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. The 1978 team did have a home advantage, and possibly even more than that. Allegations of match fixing in favor of the La Albiceleste marred Argentina’s triumph in the 1978 World Cup.

The 1986 team did not have the benefit of home advantage. It is a team with a more legendary status, primarily because of the brilliance of Maradona. Although some critics argue it was a one-man team, it was a side built around his brilliance with a solid tactical foundation based on the 3-5-2 formation. The likes of Jorge Valdano and Luis Burruchaga aided Maradona’s extravagant ball skills. It was perhaps the most exciting Argentina side ever to grace the world stage that played great free-flowing soccer with fluidity in possession.

Argentina is the reigning world champions that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup after an enthralling final triumph against France. Yet, that team lost to Saudi Arabia with a dreadful group stage performance and scraped past Australia in the second round. Nor could Argentina beat stronger opponents in regular play, with penalty shoot-outs needed to emerge victorious against Holland and France. The 2022 Argentina side won the World Cup because it was the best team at taking penalties rather than playing soccer.

End of My 1986 Winners of the FIFA World Cup

Many pundits rank the 1986 winners of the FIFA World Cup as Argentina’s best-ever team when compared with their 1978 and 2022 sides. They won the trophy without home advantage and, unlike the 2022 side, didn’t lose a game in the group stages or win matches with penalties. Argentina’s 1986 triumph was one of the most enthralling FIFA World Cup campaigns seen, with Maradona pulling the strings.