Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to victory in Mexico in 1986 in what was widely regarded as the best tournament since the 1970 finals in the same country.

But England fans will not forget the infamous Maradona `hand of God' goal that set the Argentines on their way to a 2-1 quarter-final victory in Mexico City.

England manager Bobby Robson insisted Maradona's brilliance was such that Argentina would have no chance of winning the World Cup without him.

Robson chose not to man-mark Maradona but five minutes after the break he changed the course of the game when a shameless piece of cheating prospered.

Steve Hodge hooked the ball over his head intending to find Peter Shilton but Maradona challenged the England keeper and, with a hand raised, palmed the ball into the net. There was no flag from the linesman and the referee gave the goal.

England were still shellshocked when Maradona scored a breathtaking second. Gary Stevens, Terry Butcher and Terry Fenwick were left in his wake before he stabbed the ball past Shilton.

Gary Lineker headed England back into the game 10 minutes from time when substitute John Barnes picked him out with an inviting cross but it was too little too late and England were out.

England had toiled manfully in the Monterrey heat, scraping through the first round by way of Gary Lineker's hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Poland, after losing 1-0 to Portugal and having Ray Wilkins sent off in a 0-0 draw with Morocco, who topped the group.

Argentina and holders Italy qualified from Group A. The Italians were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the tournament and drew with Argentina by the same scoreline, Maradona claiming his first goal of the tournament.

Hosts Mexico and Paraguay progressed from Group B, the USSR and France came through Group C and Brazil cruised through Group D, with Spain finishing second. Northern Ireland managed a 1-1 draw with Algeria in their opening game but Brazil and Spain proved too strong for them.

As impressive as Brazil, in reaching the second round, were Denmark, who topped Group E with three wins.

The Danes beat Scotland 1-0, demolished Uruguay 6-1 and then finished with a 2-0 win against West Germany, who nevertheless qualified in second place.

The Germans were 2-1 winners against the Scots, who then fought out a goalless draw with Uruguay to end their campaign with one point and one goal.

Having impressed in their group games, the Danes pressed the self destruct button in the second round, losing 5-1 to Spain, with Emilio Butragueno scoring four.

Belgium beat the USSR 4-3 after extra-time in a thrilling encounter in Leon, Brazil brushed aside Poland 4-0 and Lineker weighed in with two more goals as England eased past Paraguay 3-0.

Argentina, France, West Germany and Mexico completed the quarter-final lineup.

Maradona's `hand of God' ensured Argentina v England was the most controversial quarter-final and the other three games were settled by penalties.

The Mexicans had to wave goodbye as West Germany predictably held their spotkick nerve and Belgium edged out Spain.

But Brazil and France served up a thrilling match in Guadalajara. Careca gave Brazil the lead but Michel Platini equalised before the break.

Zico ought to have won the game in normal time but missed a penalty 17 minutes from time and extra time could not separate the sides.

Platini, of all people, blasted his spotkick over the bar but the French still won 4-3 on penalties.

More Maradona magic earned Argentina a 2-0 semi-final win over Belgium. He conjured up two stunning second-half solo goals and there was no way back for the Belgians.

Argentina led 2-0 with only 17 minutes remaining in the final against West Germany when two goals in eight minutes from the never-say-die Germans threatened to take the contest into extra-time.

But Maradona turned goalmaker, with a through ball for Jorge Burruchaga who raced clear to clinch victory.