I for my part will never forget a conversation I had while in Ecuador with Vito Munoz (one of the top local sports announcers in Guayaquil) who claimed in the presence of my Spanish brother-in-law as well as mine how Maradona had been cursed by first his greatness. First by having to play for Menotti; a trainer who got sentimental over his players to the point of not seeing them for what they were but what they had been. Second by having to play for a ?bunch of clowns? like Barcelona (my brother-in-law being from Madrid and a Real fan did not object) to which I added and again by Menotti. Third by being forced to play for SSC Napoli; a team that was limited not only in the quality of their players but in the funds that might buy them, meaning Maradona would be a great player on a mediocre team.

In all this there was a glimmer of hope for Maradona and that was that he was on team which would adjust themselves to his style of play; something which neither Argentina or Barcelona had been willing to do. As for Argentina they were now being coached by Carlos Bilardo, who from the start build his national squad around Maradona. First by getting rid of those players who though useful in wining Argentina's first title in 78 were now ?over the hill? in what could be considered a purge. Passarella however was allowed to remain on the condition that he would accept that his captain's ban would go over to Maradona, which he did with reluctance.

Eventually the world cup would return. To be played in Mexico and once again Maradona would be playing for Argentina but this time things were different. He would have a team designed to play around him with players who looked up to him unlike in 82 were he was put in to a team who had been playing for over 6 years as a unit. A team in which he simply was the odd man out. Second Maradona was now under the guidance of Bilardo; who in my opinion was simply a better coach then Menotti.

Argentina started the World Cup in the same group as Italy, Bulgaria and South Korea. South Korea was first and though the Koreans did play better then I would have originally given them credit for they were no real match for Argentina. The score showed more or less what transpired as Argentina won 3 to 1 with relative ease and comfort; while Maradona had basically a field day passing the ball off to his new teammates Valdano, Ruggeri and Burruchaga.

Where Argentina's first game was of little concern to me his second game was not as now he was facing Italy, the nation of my ancestors. I however could see that Italy was rebuilding and were not going to be a factor in this world cup given the fact that many of those players who had been vital in winning the cup 4 years before were past their prime. It was basically a case of the next generation players; like Roberto Baggio being too young while players like Rossi simply being past his prime. This factor plus the fact that Italy had only managed a draw with Bulgaria told me not to expect too much from Italy however me always being an Italian supporter still cheered them on.

The game against Argentina however started well for Italy. Altobelli putting us in the lead through a well taken penalty (any penalty that scores is well taken) only to have Maradona, himself (this time not passing off) equalize after 34 minutes of play with a brilliantly struck ball after a well timed run. One to one was the score at half time and such would the game end with Bruno Conti cracking one off Argentina's post in the second half which would have changed a lot had it gone in but such is football and life.

In Argentina's next match they would go to clinch qualification in to the next round and first place by defeating Bulgaria 2-0 in a game that saw little entertainment other then a few nice plays by Maradona. In this group it was Italy and Bulgaria who managed to qualify to the next round along with Argentina. As a footnote I might add that I believe Bulgaria set a record in that world cup; for being the team to play the most world cups (5) and matches (16) without wining a single game.

Next for Argentina was Uruguay; a team that was back in the world cup for the first time since 74 and had beaten Argentina in the final of the first world cup played in Uruguay in 1930. This match saw Maradona, take his level of play higher and though he did not score he really showed a lot by hitting the cross bar on a free kick, passing the ball to an open Burruchaga who really should have scored and even having a goal disallowed. This goal disallowed however contrary to what many believe; was not because of a hand ball by Maradona but a foul he committed when he pulled the jersey of a Uruguayan player after having passed the ball. As for the score it would end with a 1-0 victory for Argentina on a goal scored by Pasculli.

Next for Argentina was England, a team that had started slowly loosing one zero to Portugal after which they would go on to draw 0-0 against Morocco before getting in to the form that saw them soundly defeat both Poland and Paraguay by 3-0 each. Having scored 5 out of their 6 goals it was Gary Lineker, who was considered their biggest threat. Of course, hanging over this match there was still the issue of Argentina's elimination from the world cup in 1966 and the Malvinas (a.k.a. The Falklands) as they were called in Argentina.

The game started with tight marking on both sides that would dominate the first half as well as a yellow card for Fenwick for a really clumsy tackle on Maradona. The second half however witnessed Maradona break the dead lock with a goal that would be labeled by the Argentine press as the ?hand of God? and not Maradona, himself. Maradona started on what had become one of his trade mark runs from the left side of England's defense and as he entered the box he passed it off. His pass however was intercepted by Terry Butcher who in attempt to clear the ball sent it back, in between a charging Mardona and a Peter Shilton desperate to get to the ball. Maradona jumped for the ball with clear intensions of fisting it in which is precisely what he did before Shilton could get to the ball. It was a goal, the referee saw ?no hand ball? and despite English protests the goal stood. Many will say Maradona cheated and this even he admitted many years later that he did but if we look at the run (perhaps on youtube) he made we can see some really nice dribbling, literally going through defenders but however some were not so appreciative of this goal. Peter Shilton; one of the best goal keepers I have ever seen in his farewell match from football requested Maradona not play because of this goal.

Only three minutes would pass before Argentina would score their second goal for the day and again it would be Maradona and what a goal it was! I for my part will not attempt to say anything about this second goal by Maradona on that day as I do not believe I can say anything that has not been already other then what impressed me the most about it. Maradona had gone past two or three English defenders and was about to enter the box where he encountered, the last defender. Fenwick; who tried to apply the rule that has been installed in the mind of every player who defends. This rule being ?the player or the ball but never shall both get past?. This meaning if one can not stop the ball then stop the player by what ever foul available. Fenwick tried and those who see it in slow motion will see how he tried to both trip and hold Maradona by his Jersey; only have Maradona do what to me seemed the impossible. Maradona doing three things in one motion; first he jumped over Fenwick's out stretched leg, second he with his left hand removed Fenwick's arm of his shirt and third and most importantly he kept control of the ball while going through. After which he would go around Shilton (who really should not have bought that faint) and score one for the record.

Another thing that is note worthy about this goal which I have never heard mentioned is that; this run by Maradona did not really come on a counter attack as many such runs do. For instance Owens's against Argentina in 98; where England's counter caught Argentina's defenders out position in what became basically a race to the goal. Contrary to that one, England had had time to settle back in their defensive positions after having lost the ball and were generally waiting for Maradona; most likely to pass off to Valdano.

England being a footballing nation with tradition and a bitter rival of Argentina would not give up so easily; specially having Gary Lineker on their team and after bringing on Barnes and Waddle. England went forward and got one back via a Gary Lineker header but it would not be enough as 2 to 1 is how it would end. In that game Maradona would go on to perform another gem of a play and though no goal came as a result it is still worth a second look. He got the ball in midfield and by almost jumping on the ball went by two English players and in a one two passed the ball back to Tapia who hit the post. England however was not far from getting a second when another Gary Lineker header almost found the mark. Gary Lineker, I might add finished the world cup as top goal scorer with 6 goals in 5 games and none of them being penalties and his career without ever getting as much as a yellow card.

Argentina were now in the semifinal; two games from taking it all, for the second time in the last 3 world cups while much to my disappoint Italy had lost all chances of repeating as champions as France had seen to it that they would not. The semifinal would pit Argentina against Belgium; the team that had beaten them four years ago but this was a completely different team as the only ones who remained from that defeat were Maradona and Passarella. This being the case though the later would not be playing due to an injury sustained in the 1st match against Korea.

The first half saw Argentina dominate but not score and Maradona play amazingly well in spite of having veteran Belgium defender, Gerets and others literally follow him all over the field. As for Maradona; he in a play that sticks out in my memory from this first half hit the crossbar off a free kick for the fourth time in two world cups, making me believe in jest that may be he practiced the frustrating art of hitting the post. Not surprisingly the rebound was picked up by Valdano who scored though had it was disallowed for a clear hand ball; as perhaps it is only Maradona who could get away with it.

The second half would be more of the same Maradona; going at the Belgium defense until he finally scored. A filtering pass through Belgium's defense would find Maradona, who on the run managed to flick the ball over Pfaff (goalkeeper) and in to the net for Argentina's first. Maradona however was not finished and on a second run would score Argentina's second and the one that would make it almost impossible for Belgium to come back. This second goal was in my opinion at least just as spectacular as the one he had scored against England as on that occasion; he instead of moving forward moved both diagonally and forward while going in between at least 4 Belgium defenders before beating Pfaff for the second time that day.