1986

Host nation: Mexico Games: 52 Goals: 132 (2.54 per match) Dismissals: 8 Venues: 12 Winners: Argentina Top scorer: Gary Lineker (6 goals)

It’s impossible not to view Mexico 86 through rose-tinted specs, picturing a baking hot, swaying Azteca Stadium in the mind’s eye, and a buffet of brilliant, buccaneering players operating at their peak. And on closer scrutiny over three decades later, the memories don’t seem exaggerated or romanticised. This was a genuinely great and competitive tournament, packed with controversy and incident, but characterised most of all by technical, imaginative players and swashbuckling offensive sides.

STAR FACTOR

Zico, Socrates, Josimar, Junior and Careca for Brazil; Michel Platini in his pomp for France; magic Michael Laudrup for Denmark; Rudi Voller, Lothar Matthaus, and Karl-heinz Rummenigge keeping West Germany purring; an England side blessed with Gary Lineker, Peter Beardsley and Glenn Hoddle. Above all, Diego.

WONDER GOALS

There’s little left to say about Maradona’s playground zig-zag against England, so here’s an excerpt of commentary from Radio Argentina’s Hugo Morales: “Genius! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta! Gooooooaaaaal! I want to cry! Dear God! Long live soccer! Maradona… the play of all time. Little cosmic kite! What planet are you from, to leave in your wake so many Englishmen?” Quite.

AGGRO

It’s impossible to avoid England vs Argentina, only four years after the Falklands War (“they killed a lot of Argentine boys like little birds,” said Maradona). Add the Hand of God (top) and The Goal of The Century™ and you have a tussle some still haven’t calmed down from.

THE THRILLERS

None topped a mesmerising France-brazil quarter-final in Guadalajara: an ageing golden Brazilian generation against the beautiful European Championship-winning outfit featuring Platini, Jean Tigana and Alain Giresse. An encounter of true elan went to a penalty shootout, settled by Les Bleus’ Luis Fernandez.

THE FINAL

Arguably the last really excellent final, witnessed by 114,600 fans at the Azteca. Matthaus was a barnacle on Maradona; hulking defender Jose Luis Brown was the unlikely source of Argentina’s opener. Jorge Valdano doubled their lead, but West Germany responded with goals from Rummenigge and Voller. In the 83rd minute, Diego found enough room to arrow a superlative pass to Jorge Burruchaga for the winner.

LEGACY

The World Cup as a “shop window” perhaps started here: Argentina players flooded Serie A following the final, while Golden Boot winner Gary Lineker (right) secured a move to Barcelona.