Maradona, Simply Great (part two)
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.
Belgium in all honesty had their chances and perhaps might have scored one or even two on that day but the truth is that Maradona was just too overwhelming, even to the point of having Jean Marie Pfaff congratulate him after the game in an exhibition of gallantry. Belgium like England had played well defensively but against a great player on a great day there is little that could be done, and who knows what might have been if that ball had not hit the crossbar but gone in? Or if Valdano had not send in to the crowds that pass Maradona gave with an almost empty goal?
In football most people only remember plays that ended in goals but if ever there was a great play it was the one that preceded Valdano’s miss. Maradona had a long pass given to him on the right and some how managed to get to it before it went out of bounds and then with an opposing player coming up on him in an attempt to sweep him. Maradona, literary jumped over him like a hurdle while passing the ball around him and catching it on the other side. After this Maradona went down the flank going past another defender till he was almost at the goal line which prompted Pfaff to come off his line; only to have Maradona pass the ball of to Valdano; who by all accounts should have made it 3 for Argentina.
The final came and who but Germany should meet Argentina in the final. Germany however was not the favorite to win despite having made it to (this one included) 3 out of the last 4 finals however they are never easy to beat. This Bilardo, knew full well as he also was aware that on that day Germany would have Maradona covered to the point where he would be limited to doing very little if anything at all; which was the case. Beckenbaur (Germany’s head coach at the time) had Matthaus follow Maradona just about every where on the field along with other players used to assist in the marking Maradona.
Argentina however in spite of Maradona being so closely marked went up 2-0; being that other players were given more freedom such as Brown and Valdano, who got on the score board. Germany however are known for not giving up and coming back as they had