Paul Dubberley watched Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal from high in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, but did not realise at the time that Maradona had used his hand.
The Walsall England supporter was at the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, which Argentina won 2-1. He recalled seeing goalkeeper Peter Shilton run after the referee. Without big screens or replays in the stadium, Dubberley said, he and other fans only understood what had happened when they saw it later on television.
Now 67, Dubberley has followed England to 11 World Cups. His first trip began with a £6 ticket; he also bought a ticket for the 1986 final, which he watched after England’s exit. This summer, he attended England’s three group games in the United States and returned for the quarter-final in Miami.
His memories come as England prepare to meet Argentina again in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final. Dubberley said he was angry about the 1986 result at first, but considers the goal a moment people still remember 40 years later.
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