FIFA World Cup 1986 – Mexico
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, hosted in Mexico, is widely regarded as one of the most memorable tournaments in history. It was defined by the singular brilliance of Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to a spectacular victory with performances that transcended the sport.
Group Stage
Group A
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
 Italy |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 |
 Bulgaria |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 2 |
 South Korea |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 1 |
Match Results
- Bulgaria 1-1 Italy
- Argentina 3-1 South Korea
- Italy 1-1 Argentina
- Bulgaria 1-1 South Korea
- Argentina 2-0 Bulgaria
- South Korea 2-3 Italy
The group was dominated by Argentina, led by the incredible Diego Maradona. Italy, the defending champions, had a tougher time but managed to progress. Bulgaria, with two draws, also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
Group B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mexico |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 |
 Belgium |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
 Paraguay |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
 Iraq |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
Match Results
- Mexico 2-1 Belgium
- Paraguay 1-0 Iraq
- Mexico 1-1 Paraguay
- Belgium 2-1 Iraq
- Mexico 1-0 Iraq
- Paraguay 2-2 Belgium
The host nation, Mexico, gave a strong performance, topping their group and delighting the home crowds. Paraguay and Belgium also progressed, with the latter advancing as a best third-placed team, demonstrating their resilience.
Group C
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Soviet Union |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 5 |
 France |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 5 |
 Hungary |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 2 |
 Canada |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
Match Results
- Canada 0-1 France
- Soviet Union 6-0 Hungary
- France 1-1 Soviet Union
- Canada 0-2 Hungary
- Hungary 0-3 France
- Soviet Union 2-0 Canada
Both the Soviet Union and France showed their class, with their match ending in a thrilling draw. The Soviet team, led by Igor Belanov, dominated their other opponents, while France’s creativity, with Michel Platini at the helm, was a joy to watch.
Group D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
 Spain |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4 |
 Northern Ireland |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
 Algeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
Match Results
- Brazil 1-0 Spain
- Northern Ireland 1-1 Algeria
- Brazil 1-0 Algeria
- Spain 2-1 Northern Ireland
- Brazil 3-0 Northern Ireland
- Spain 3-0 Algeria
Brazil, with their fluid attacking style, were impeccable in the group stage, winning all three matches without conceding a single goal. Spain also performed well, showcasing their strength and qualifying comfortably for the knockout rounds.
Group E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Denmark |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 6 |
 West Germany |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
 Uruguay |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 2 |
 Scotland |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
Match Results
- Uruguay 1-1 West Germany
- Scotland 0-1 Denmark
- West Germany 2-1 Scotland
- Uruguay 1-6 Denmark
- Denmark 2-0 West Germany
- Scotland 0-0 Uruguay
The “Danish Dynamite” team lit up the tournament with their attacking flair, winning all three of their group matches and establishing themselves as a fan favorite. Uruguay’s infamous match against Denmark, a 6-1 thrashing, sealed their place in the next round despite their poor disciplinary record.
Group F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Morocco |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
 England |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 |
 Poland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 3 |
 Portugal |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
Match Results
- Morocco 0-0 Poland
- England 1-0 Portugal
- England 0-0 Morocco
- Poland 1-0 Portugal
- Morocco 3-1 Portugal
- England 3-0 Poland
Morocco shocked the football world by winning their group, becoming the first African nation to advance to the knockout stage. England, after a slow start, found their form with a convincing win over Poland to secure second place.
Knockout Stage
Round of 16
▸
Mexico 2-0 Bulgaria
Soviet Union 3-4 Belgium (after extra time)
Brazil 4-0 Poland
Argentina 1-0 Uruguay
Morocco 0-1 West Germany
England 3-0 Paraguay
France 2-0 Italy
Denmark 1-5 Spain
The Round of 16 saw several major teams demonstrate their dominance, including Brazil, France, and Spain. Belgium’s thrilling victory over the Soviet Union was an early highlight, while England’s emphatic win showed they were a force to be reckoned with.
Quarter-finals
▸
France 1-1 Brazil (France wins 4-3 on penalties)
West Germany 0-0 Mexico (West Germany wins 4-1 on penalties)
Argentina 2-1 England
Spain 1-1 Belgium (Belgium wins 5-4 on penalties)
This stage is home to arguably the most famous game in World Cup history: Argentina vs. England. It featured two of Maradona’s most iconic moments: the infamous **”Hand of God”** goal and the sublime **”Goal of the Century”**, where he dribbled past half the English team. The classic match between Brazil and France also went to penalties, with France prevailing in a tense shootout.
Semi-finals
▸
France 0-2 West Germany
Argentina 2-0 Belgium
Argentina continued their march to the final, with Maradona scoring both goals in a brilliant individual performance against Belgium. West Germany, meanwhile, proved to be too strong for a talented France team, setting up a highly anticipated final.
Third Place Play-off
▸
Match: France vs. Belgium
Result: France 4-2 Belgium (after extra time)
France’s consolation prize was a hard-fought victory over Belgium in a high-scoring third-place match. Both teams played with attacking flair, providing an entertaining final game for their respective campaigns.
Final
▸
Match: Argentina vs. West Germany
Result: Argentina 3-2 West Germany
The final was a fittingly dramatic conclusion. Argentina took a commanding 2-0 lead, but West Germany fought back to equalize. With just minutes remaining, Jorge Burruchaga scored the winning goal after a brilliant through ball from Maradona. The victory sealed Argentina’s second World Cup title and cemented Maradona’s status as a football legend.