Buenos Aires. A note about soccer

Thanks to the CIEE seminar I am now familiar with a very important bit of recent Argentine history: Diego Maradona and the famous “la Mano de Dias” (“the hand of God”). During the 1986 World Cup match against England Maradona scores during a jump for the ball in front of England’s goal. Replays show that Maradona punched the ball into the goal. Yes, that’s not allowed but the refs didn’t call it. For Argentines “la Mano de Dios” symbolizes something of a national virtue to find success in sneaky ways while not being caught. (Again, so I’ve been told. I don’t want to paint this as a dishonest society, though the acceptable limits of dishonesty are probably more generous than what people are used to in the U.S.).

Later in the same match Maradona scores what is arguably one of the greatest goals ever scored in modern soccer history. The talent shown during this second goal is so impressive, I’m left thinking that a goal like that should be worth an extra score. Therefore, at least in the opinion of this very pedestrian soccer fan, Maradona’s sin for the questionable first goal is redeemed by his fantastic play on the second one.

Argentina won the match over England 2-1. Now, consider the timing. Three years earlier England badly beat the Argentine army in the Falklands war. This soccer victory was a bit of revenge for the Argentines.

Here's the second goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg3uS4ZBHtM