THIS DAY IN 1986, MARADONA MAGIC EARNS ARGENTINA SECOND WORLD CUP TROPHY.

Nigeria didn't qualify for the 1986 World Cup having lost out in the third round of the African qualifiers 2-1 on aggregate to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia. It was a tournament that had some of the biggest teams in terms of quality and players. Brazil, USSR,West Germany, France came with arguably one of their best teams ever while Poland and Italy, though giants in decline at the time were also in contention for the competitions top prize. But, it was a Diego Maradona inspired Argentina that went on to clinch the cup, beating West Germany 3-2 in an enthralling final.

The team paraded some of the finest players at the time, Real Madrid's Jorge Valdano in attack, Nantes midfielder Jorge Burruchaga in midfield and River Plate's Sergio Batista in defence, it was truly a team assembled from heaven. Going into the final against the West Germans a team that also paraded legends like Bayern Munich midfielder Lothar Mathaus, Hellas Verona defender Hans Peter Briegel and the famous Harald 'Toni' Schumacher, Maradona's goal tally in two games had risen to four including the infamous 'Hand of God' goal against the English in the quarter finals. The stage was set for an unforgettable final.

Maradona Inspires Germany To Victory.

The match was tied at 2-2 with the West Germans drawing level from two goals down in the 81st minute by Werder Bremen's Rudi Voller following a Thomas Berthold assist. Earlier, the Argentines had raced into a two goal lead courtesy of goals from Jorge 'Tata' Brown and Jorge Valdano. In the 85th minute, a moment of sheer brilliance by Diego Maradona who had been anonymous in the entire match freed up Burruchaga who had timed Hans Peter Briegel's offside run perfectly. He slotted the ball home calmly under Schumacher before Briegel could tackle. The Argentines held on for the remaining six minutes to confine West Germany to their second consecutive World Cup final defeat.

The match was played on the 29th of June 1986 at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City and it had over One Hundred And Fourteen Thousand, Five Hundred spectators in attendance.