Tag: Worldcup

The Maradona Cup

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The 1986 FIFA World Cup was one for the history books, as Diego Maradona single-handedly won the cup for Argentina. His performance at the tournament is regarded as the best individual performance in World Cup history.

     Throughout the tournament Maradona was doing it all, he was captain; and led the team with five goals and assists. What made him so dangerous on the pitch was his speed and ability to create chances for himself and his teammates. He was on a mission to bring back glory to his country and set a name for himself at the biggest stage of football.

     Argentina made it through the group stage easily, and from then on, Maradona left his mark at the tournament against England in the quarterfinals. During the first half, the match was very stalemate as both teams failed to score, but what occurred in the second half created arguably two unforgettable moments in World Cup history. In the 51st minute Maradona scored what was later named “The Hand of God”, as the ball deflected off an English defender and Maradona jumped and punched the ball with his hand to score. As he celebrated, the entire England squad swarmed the referee in disgust as they protested that it was a handball, but the goal stood. Not even five minutes later, Maradona scored what is considered the greatest goal scored in World Cup history, as he dribbled through the entire England squad.

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     Argentina went on to win the match 2-1, and he later scored two more in a 2-0 win in the semifinals against Belgium. Setting up the final between Argentina and West Germany. The final was an exciting match as Argentina surrendered a 2-0 late in the match, but Maradona bailed out his team yet again as he set up the game winning assist in the 85th minute. Sending his team over the hump and winning the match, and crowned World Cup champions for the second time.     

Maradona winning the World Cup cemented his name as one of the greatest of all time. Footballers across the world say winning the World Cup is very difficult, but Maradona seemingly did it on his own, and that there is a feat no one will ever accomplish anytime soon.

The FIFA World Cup, just how special is it?

2010 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Netherlands in Johannesburg, South Africa
Photo by: Mikhael Moosa

Once every four years, the world gathers together to watch what is arguably the biggest sports event in the world, the prestigious FIFA World Cup. Thirty-two of the world’s best countries send their best players to fight for the biggest trophy any soccer player can dream of winning. The World Cup provides us with jaw dropping moments of pure joy, but it can have moments where your heart is filled with utter disappointment. Only an event so prestige like the World Cup is capable of doing this, so because of that; here are a few reasons on what make the World Cup so prestige.

Photo by: Alba Palacios

When I think of the World Cup, I think about the trophy. There have been two trophies that have been awarded for the winner of the tournament. The original trophy was first given out in 1930 to Uruguay for winning the inaugural tournament, and was named the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the Frenchman who proposed the tournament. The Jules Rimet trophy was awarded up until the 1970 tournament and introduced the current trophy at the 1974 tournament, and it has been the focal point of winning the tournament. For many soccer players, getting the opportunity to hold the trophy and hoist in the sky is a dream for all players, but very few get the chance to do it.

Another key aspect of what makes the World Cup prestigious are the fans. The fans are such a key part to sports in general, but in the World Cup; I feel like there’s no competition of which fans are best. The constant chants, songs, and noises come from the fans to give their players the backing they need to win. In soccer, there are only eleven players on the pitch per team, and the fans represent themselves as the twelfth player. The roar of the crowd as they pour their hearts out as they do whatever they can do give an advantage to their team.

I have never been to a World Cup game, but I do have an opportunity to be there once the World Cup comes to the United States in 2026. By then, I will be able to be a part of the crowd, the chants, take a picture with the cup and hopefully witness the most prestigious sporting event, the World Cup. But for now, I’ll sit at home and watch on tv.