The documentary 'The Match' ("El partido"/"The Match"), which focuses on the landmark match between Argentina and England at the World Cup on 22 June 1986, is screening in Croatian independent cinemas from 8 October. The film premiered in Cannes, directed by the Argentine duo Juan Cabra and Santiago Franco.
The match was viewed as an extension of war, but on the pitch of the Azteca stadium. The tensions between the two nations date back 221 years before the football match in Mexico. John Byron arrived on the Falkland Islands in 1765 and laid the claim of Great Britain, while Argentina considered the islands its own following independence and in accordance with the succession of Spanish sovereignty. Argentina referred to the British as colonialists.
Tensions rose further at the 1966 World Cup, when the captain of the Argentine team, Antonio Rattín, was sent off the pitch with police escort after protesting to the referee. Rattín, on his way out, flipped the corner flag with a pattern of the British flag in protest. The English manager, Alf Ramsey, then declared the Argentine players "animals" and banned the players from exchanging shirts. Sixteen years later, the politicians Margaret Thatcher and Leopoldo Galtieri stirred up the war between England and Argentina. The war began just one year after Queen and Maradona united the nations at a concert in Argentina. The invasion by Argentina resulted in a British counter-attack and war. The conflict lasted two and a half months and claimed more than 900 lives, with Great Britain regaining control of the islands.
At the 1986 match, Maradona scored two goals. The first goal was the controversial 'Hand of God', while the second was a spectacular dribble through the opposing team across the entire pitch. From the Argentine team, the phrase 'against England, count on the hand' was heard. Maradona scored a questionable goal with his head, and the second goal was scored in the 55th minute of the documentary. He was given the title 'cosmic dragon' and 'mythical being'.
Commentators on the film include Gary Lineker, Jorge Valdano, John Barnes, and England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The documentary 'The Match' runs for 91 minutes. England was eliminated after losing to Argentina (2-1) in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
