Mondiale 2026: l'umile esecutore Harry Kane e il fantasma di Maradona

The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, one of the most iconic venues in football history, has witnessed some of the sport’s most unforgettable moments. Built in 1966, it holds the distinction of being the only stadium where both Pelé and Diego Armando Maradona have lifted the World Cup trophy, in 1970 and 1986 respectively. It also made history as the first venue to host two World Cup finals, a feat later matched by Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã in 1950 and 2014. With a capacity of 87,523, it remains the largest stadium in Latin America and ranks among the top eight globally.

One particular match held at this legendary ground on June 22, 1986, stands out in football lore. The semi-final clash between Argentina and England was played against the backdrop of political tensions stemming from the Falklands War, which had erupted four years earlier. This context added an extra layer of intensity to the game, with protests erupting outside the stadium and several British fans ending up in hospital due to the unrest.

In the 51st minute of the match, Maradona scored what would become known as the "Hand of God" goal. As the ball soared high into the air after a failed clearance by Steve Hodge, Maradona reached up and used his left hand to direct the ball past England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The referee, Ali Bin Nasser of Tunisia, did not see the infringement, and there was no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in place at the time. The goal stood, marking a controversial moment that sparked outrage among English fans and cemented Maradona's legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.

Just four minutes later, Maradona delivered another breathtaking performance, scoring what many consider the best goal of all time. Starting from behind the halfway line, he dribbled past five defenders before slotting the ball past Shilton. This goal, often referred to as the "Goal of the Century," showcased Maradona's extraordinary skill and flair, further solidifying his status as a legend.

Despite England's efforts to equalize through Gary Lineker in the 81st minute, Argentina secured their victory, advancing to the final. The match remains etched in memory, not just for its sporting brilliance but also for the political and emotional undercurrents that surrounded it.

Fast forward nearly four decades, the spirit of Maradona seems to echo once again in the form of Harry Kane. During the current World Cup qualifiers, Kane broke Gary Lineker's record as England's highest scorer in World Cup history. Despite the significance of this achievement, Kane approached it with characteristic humility, expressing gratitude towards his teammates and acknowledging the support from fans.

Meanwhile, the debate over officiating continues to dominate discussions around the tournament. Zlatan Ibrahimović, the former Swedish star turned commentator, voiced strong opinions following Portugal's narrow victory over Croatia in a crucial knockout stage match. He criticized the decision to disallow Croatia's late equalizer, arguing that the referee should have been more certain about the offside call. Ibrahimović suggested that such decisions can have profound effects on teams, especially when they occur in high-stakes matches.

His comments extended beyond the specific incident, questioning the perceived bias towards Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. He pointed out instances where other players received harsher punishments compared to Ronaldo, suggesting a lack of consistency in how referees apply the rules. These observations highlight ongoing concerns about fairness and impartiality in modern football governance.

As the tournament progresses, these issues remain at the forefront of discussion. Fans and analysts alike continue to scrutinize refereeing decisions, hoping for greater transparency and consistency. Meanwhile, players like Kane strive to make their mark on the global stage, carrying the torch of legends who came before them. The interplay between sportsmanship, politics, and the ever-evolving nature of football regulations will undoubtedly shape the narrative of this year's competition.