Argentine footballer who scored the "Hand of God" goal in the 1986 World Cup; seven healthcare professionals were on trial in 2026 for negligence related to his 2020 death.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… Emulating Maradona The man who emulated Diego Maradona by inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago will now hope to leave a similar mark on England as his legendary predecessor. …
Messi meets England at last with World Cup final place on the lineCitizen Digital
… Pele and Diego Maradona each only graced two finals. His apparent obsession with the World Cup may explain why he missed a chunk of the second half of the season with Real Madrid. …
Yamal aims to steal Mbappe's World Cup thunder in semi-final showdownCitizen Digital
… Argentina secured a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Azteca with two goals from Diego Maradona - one the infamous "Hand of God" when he punched the ball into the net and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the greatest goals ever to grace a World Cup. …
England, Argentina to renew bitter rivalry in World Cup semi-finalCitizen Digital
… Argentina secured a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Azteca with two goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the best ever. …
Argentina's Scaloni says England World Cup semi 'just a football game'The Standard
… Four years later Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over England at the Estadio Azteca with goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the best ever. …
Argentina sink 10-man Swiss to set up blockbuster England World Cup semi-finalThe Standard
… At the time he had yet to win a major tournament with Argentina and, despite his brilliance for Barcelona, back home he had been unable to follow in the footsteps of Diego Maradona by winning the World Cup.Within a few months he reversed that retirement. …
Messi World Cup magic masks familiar penalty frailtyCitizen Digital
… Lukaku's three strikes at the tournament so far mean he is with Diego Maradona, Rudi Voller and Rivaldo on eight World Cup goals. …
Belgium bid to crack Spain's ironclad defence in World Cup quarter-finalCitizen Digital
… At the time he had yet to win a major tournament with Argentina and, despite his brilliance for Barcelona, back home he had been unable to follow in the footsteps of Diego Maradona by winning the World Cup. …
Messi World Cup magic masks familiar penalty frailtyThe Standard
… Victory also helped to erase some of England's nightmarish memories at the Azteca in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup when Diego Maradona scored a double for Argentina, including the infamous "Hand of God" goal.The match was delayed by an hour after a thunder storm and he …
Bellingham powers 10-man England past Mexico, into World Cup quartersCitizen Digital
… Forty years ago in Mexico City, Diego Maradona defeated England in the World Cup quarter-finals in a match that is still remembered for the Argentine great's "hand of God" goal, when he punched the ball into the net. …
England out to write new Azteca history against Mexico, says TuchelLionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, ending a 21-year career with Argentina during which the team won three major titles including the 2022 World Cup. Argentina now faces a transition period with questions surrounding coach Lionel Scaloni and other ageing players.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, 2026, ending a 21-year career with Argentina during which the team won three major titles including the 2022 World Cup. Argentina now faces a transition period with questions surrounding coach Lionel Scaloni and other ageing players.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, six weeks after Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final, concluding a career spanning more than two decades and over 200 appearances. AFP reviews the defining moments of his international career.
1 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, six weeks after Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final, ending a career spanning more than two decades and over 200 appearances for his country. AFP Sport reviews the defining moments of his Argentina career.
1 September 2026 · The Standard →
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said Kylian Mbappe deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or, arguing the award should go to "the best player in the world" rather than be decided by World Cup or Champions League success. Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history during the 2026 tournament and was the top scorer in La Liga and the Champions League last season.
29 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Seven healthcare professionals have been on trial since mid-April in Argentina for potential negligence that may have contributed to Diego Maradona's 2020 death. A witness testified that Maradona showed warning signs during home hospitalization that went unheeded; he died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema two weeks after undergoing surgery.
12 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The soccer ball Diego Maradona used to score his famous "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final is expected to sell for $10 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in Texas from August 21 to 23. The ball was also used for Maradona's "Goal of the Century" in the same match, which Argentina won 2-1.
8 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Franco Baresi, AC Milan captain during the 1980s and 1990s when the club won three European Cups and six Italian league titles, has died at age 66, the club announced on Friday.
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute. Lionel Messi, 39, had led Argentina to the final with eight goals and two assists, including in a dramatic semi-final comeback against England, but failed to secure another World Cup trophy four years after Argentina's Qatar victory.
20 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nearly two decades before their FIFA World Cup final meeting, Lionel Messi photographed an infant Lamine Yamal during a UNICEF charity campaign at Barcelona's Camp Nou in 2007. Families entered a raffle for the chance to have their babies photographed with Barcelona players for the 2008 charity calendar.
18 July 2026 · The Standard →
Argentina advanced to the 2026 World Cup final against Spain after beating England 2-1 in the semi-final, with coach Lionel Scaloni and observers crediting the team's ability to perform well under pressure. The South American nation is pursuing a second consecutive World Cup title.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina's players and coaches say the team performs best when facing adversity, a trait evident in their comeback victories through the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 semi-final victory over England at the 2026 World Cup in Atlanta, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez after England took an early lead through Anthony Gordon. The 39-year-old Messi said the fixture remained special despite his record-breaking career.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in a World Cup semi-final, with Enzo Fernandez equalizing in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez scoring the winner in stoppage time. Argentina will face European champions Spain in the final.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi's Argentina will meet England in a 2026 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, with Spain advancing to the final after eliminating France. Argentina is seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Harry Kane said England will not be distracted by the historical tensions and incidents surrounding their World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, which is set against a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England will meet Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, renewing a rivalry stretching back to their first meeting in 1962. The article traces their historical World Cup encounters.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he was not concerned about fatigue or his team's performances as they prepare to face England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the holders seeking to reach consecutive finals.
15 July 2026 · The Standard →
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on July 14, 2026, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal (penalty) and Pedro Porro, progressing to face either England or Argentina in the final.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England and Argentina will meet in a 2026 World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026, renewing their old rivalry as England bids to reach their first final in six decades while Messi's Argentina seeks to win back-to-back World Cups.
14 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said his team will keep their cool ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, noting they have largely avoided flashpoints during the 2026 tournament.
14 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi, 39, will play England for the first time in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final, seeking to lead Argentina to the final. Messi earned his 200th cap for Argentina in the group stage and began his international career as an 18-year-old in 2005.
14 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Spain's Lamine Yamal, hoping to win the World Cup as a teenager like Kylian Mbappe did in 2018, faces France and their superstar captain in Tuesday's semi-final. Yamal has already impressed in major tournaments, scoring in Euro 2024's semi-final against France when he was 16.
13 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England and Argentina will meet in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta after defeating Norway and Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Messi and Argentina seek to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, while England pursue their first major trophy in 60 years.
12 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni said the team's upcoming World Cup semi-final against England is "just a football game" after Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Alexis Mac Allister scored early, Dan Ndoye equalized, and goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez sealed the win in Kansas City.
12 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time in a World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with Lionel Messi setting up an early opener and Julian Alvarez scoring a decisive goal in the 112th minute. The victory sets up a semi-final against England and keeps Argentina unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches.
12 July 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi has missed two penalties at the World Cup, including one against Egypt in the last 16, becoming the only player to miss more than one in a single tournament. His overall penalty conversion rate of 77 percent matches the global average, a notable weakness for a player of his caliber.
10 July 2026 · The Standard →
Belgium meet Spain in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium, with Spain having recorded six consecutive World Cup clean sheets, including a 1-0 win over Portugal. Spain are playing possession-based football similar to their 2010 World Cup winning side, while Belgium must breach their watertight defence.
9 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi, 39, has missed two penalties at the 2026 World Cup on US soil—one saved by Egypt's Mostafa Shobeir in the last 16 and one wide against Austria in group play—making him the only player to miss more than one penalty in any World Cup, though his overall play continues to lead Argentina's title quest.
8 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Jude Bellingham scored twice as 10-man England defeated Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca in a World Cup round-of-16 match on Sunday, advancing to the quarter-finals. Harry Kane also scored from the penalty spot as England kept their quest for a first major tournament win in 60 years alive.
6 July 2026 · The Standard →
England manager Thomas Tuchel said the Three Lions can banish memories of World Cup pain at the Estadio Azteca by eliminating Mexico in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, referencing England's quarter-final loss 40 years ago in the same city that included Diego Maradona's controversial "hand of God" goal.
5 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →