BBC Maradona and the 'Hand of God' Lyrics

24 augusztus, 2005 - Published 09:43 GMT

Maradona and the 'Hand of God'

There has long been intense football rivalry between Argentina and England, but when the two teams met in the quarter finals of the 1986 World Cup, the disputed goal became one of the most famous in the world. Challenging the England goalkeeper for the ball, the short and stocky Maradona raised his left arm into the air to fist the ball into the net. Television pictures and photographs released later, showed the goal to be illegal.

Maradona claimed it was 'the Hand of God' which had guided the ball, not his own. Argentina went on to win 2-1 and eventually lift the World Cup. Since then the incident has irked English supporters, but given satisfaction to Argentine fans.

Nineteen years later, speaking on his own television show, Maradona has finally admitted a truth which everyone knew. Few will be angered - his second goal against England in the same match was one of the finest individual efforts in World Cup history. The defeated England coach, Bobby Robson, described it as a miracle, which following 'the Hand-of-God' goal seems supremely apt.

Harry Peart, BBC sports correspondent

intense football rivalry
kiélezett verseny a csapatok közt

the disputed goal
a vitatott gól

short and stocky
alacsony zömök testalkatú

to fist the ball into the net
ököllel ütni be a labdát a hálóba

claimed it was 'the Hand of God'
azt állította hogy "Isten keze" nyúlt a labdához

lift the World Cup
megnyerte a Világkupát

irked
idegesítette, zavarta

defeated
vesztes csapat tagja

a miracle
csoda

supremely apt
hozzáillő, találó kifejezés