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Football
Kick-off: 57 days to go
It seems ironical indeed that two of the greatest goals scored in football history are from men who have also scored two of the most controversial goals in World Cup history. And what more, one followed the other in the very same match in the two different eras that these two protagonists dominated. In a poll taken some years ago, past and present footballers chose Diego Maradona's second goal in Argentina's quarterfinal contest against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico as the best ever in the game. Geoff Hurst's third goal in the 1966 World Cup final for England against West Germany at the Wembley is seventh in the top-10 list. As much as those two are classics for their brilliance, the circumstances, the overall context and the men who authored them accentuate their very essence. The third quarterfinal between Argentina and England in '86 held special meaning, for it was the first meeting between the two after the Falklands War. The game remained deadlocked until the 50th minute when Maradona was credited with what is termed as the most infamous goal in the Cup history (Maradona called it `the hand of God', the English described it as `hand of devil') when, aiming for a header, he fisted in a high-ball past goalkeeper Shilton. Four minutes later, Maradona came up with that sensational goal after a top class exhibition of dribbling skills, speed and control _ the very acme of perfection. Collecting the ball in almost his own half, he waltzed past Stevens, sold Butcher a dummy, took Fenwick and another defender in his stride and eased the ball past Shilton and into the goal (see picture). Argentina won the match 2-1 and the Maradona magic continued in the semifinals against Belgium, both at the Azteca. Hurst, also a first class cricketer, was the first player to have scored three goals in a World Cup final, even as the England-West Germany clash became one of the most televised and discussed matches in the game's history: first for the controversial goal and then for that superlative effort which followed. The contest went into extra-time after Webber stabbed the ball into the net to enable West Germany draw level at 2-2 minutes before the final whistle. The tireless Alan Ball's cross saw Hurst fire in the ball that hit the base of the crossbar, bounced down and spun away. Team-mate Roger Hunt went into premature celebration instead of giving the finishing touch. The English believed it had crossed the line, the Germans thought otherwise. Referee Herr Dienst consulted Russian linesman Bakhramov and the flag was pointed to the centre spot. A videometrics test (science of taking measurement from film footage) in 1995 said it wasn't a goal as the whole of the ball did not pass over the goalline. In the dying seconds came the masterpiece. Moore's long pass saw Hurst put on a burst of speed, and with impishness in his eyes and blowing out his cheeks he beat Tilkowski with a thundering left-footer. England's dream had been realised, the Cup had finally come home. _ Sanjay Rajan
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