1986 World Cup: A Complete Look At Every Match

The 1986 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Mexico, is etched in football history as a tournament filled with drama, iconic moments, and the rise of a true legend. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of every single match played during the tournament, reliving the excitement and offering insights into the key moments that defined this unforgettable World Cup. For football enthusiasts and historians alike, this is your ultimate guide to experiencing the thrill of Mexico '86 all over again.

Group Stage Matches

The group stage set the foundation for the entire tournament, featuring a mix of expected results and surprising upsets. Let's dive into each group and relive those initial battles.

Group A: Argentina, Italy, Bulgaria, South Korea

Argentina's journey to World Cup glory began in Group A, and all eyes were on Diego Maradona. Their opening match against South Korea saw them secure a 3-1 victory, setting a positive tone for their campaign. However, they faced a tough challenge against defending champions Italy, drawing 1-1 in a tightly contested match. The group stage concluded with a solid 2-0 win against Bulgaria, ensuring Argentina topped the group with ease and demonstrating their growing confidence and tactical prowess. Maradona's influence was already evident, as he orchestrated attacks and captivated audiences with his unmatched skill.

Italy, the defending champions, had a mixed bag of results in Group A. After a 1-1 draw with Argentina, they managed a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria, showcasing a struggle to maintain their previous form. A hard-fought 3-2 victory against South Korea was enough to secure their place in the next round, but it was clear they weren't the dominant force they had been four years prior. The Italian squad faced challenges in adapting to the high altitude and intense heat of Mexico, contributing to their inconsistent performances.

Bulgaria put up a valiant effort but struggled to secure a win in Group A. Draws against Italy (1-1) and South Korea (1-1) showed their resilience, but a 2-0 loss to Argentina highlighted the gap in quality. Despite not progressing to the next round, Bulgaria demonstrated moments of brilliance and contributed to the competitive nature of the group.

South Korea, making their second World Cup appearance, faced a steep learning curve. Despite losing all their matches, they showed flashes of potential, scoring goals against Argentina and Italy. Their participation added an element of surprise and excitement to the group, as they battled against more experienced teams. The South Korean team gained valuable experience that would contribute to their future success on the world stage.

Group B: Mexico, Belgium, Paraguay, Iraq

Mexico, as the host nation, carried the hopes of a nation. Their opening match against Belgium was a hard-fought 2-1 victory, setting the stage for a successful group stage. A 1-1 draw against Paraguay and a narrow 1-0 win against Iraq secured their top spot in Group B, sparking celebrations across the country. The Mexican team's strong defense and tactical flexibility proved crucial in navigating the challenges of the group.

Belgium, a team with rising stars, started their campaign with a 2-1 loss against Mexico. However, they bounced back with a 2-1 win against Iraq and a 2-2 draw against Paraguay, securing their place in the knockout stages. The Belgian squad showcased their attacking flair and resilience, overcoming early setbacks to advance in the tournament. Their ability to adapt and capitalize on opportunities made them a formidable opponent.

Paraguay proved to be a tough competitor in Group B, drawing all three of their matches. 1-1 against Iraq, 1-1 against Mexico and 2-2 against Belgium demonstrated their defensive solidity and ability to frustrate opponents. Despite not winning a game, Paraguay's strong performances earned them respect and showcased their potential on the international stage.

Iraq, making their World Cup debut, faced a difficult challenge in Group B. Despite losing all their matches, they gained valuable experience and demonstrated moments of promise. Their participation added a unique element to the tournament, as they represented a nation with a growing passion for football. The Iraqi team's determination and spirit were evident in their performances, despite the challenging circumstances.

Group C: France, Soviet Union, Hungary, Canada

France, led by their legendary captain Michel Platini, began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory against Canada. However, they faced a tough challenge against the Soviet Union, drawing 1-1 in a tightly contested match. The group stage concluded with a comfortable 3-0 win against Hungary, ensuring France progressed to the next round. Platini's influence was evident, as he orchestrated attacks and inspired his teammates with his leadership.

The Soviet Union showcased their strength in Group C, starting with a dominant 6-0 victory against Hungary. A 1-1 draw against France demonstrated their ability to compete with top teams. A 2-0 win against Canada secured their top spot in the group, highlighting their attacking prowess and tactical discipline. The Soviet Union emerged as a strong contender, showcasing their potential to make a deep run in the tournament.

Hungary, once a dominant force in world football, struggled in Group C. After a heavy 6-0 defeat against the Soviet Union, they managed a 2-0 win against Canada. However, a 3-0 loss to France highlighted their decline and inability to compete with the top teams. The Hungarian team faced challenges in adapting to the modern game, and their performances reflected their struggle to regain their former glory.

Canada, making their World Cup debut, faced a steep learning curve in Group C. Despite losing all their matches, they gained valuable experience and demonstrated moments of promise. Their participation added a unique element to the tournament, as they represented a nation with a growing passion for football. The Canadian team's determination and spirit were evident in their performances, despite the challenging circumstances.

Group D: Brazil, Spain, Algeria, Northern Ireland

Brazil, always a favorite, showcased their flair in Group D. They started with a 1-0 victory against Spain, followed by a 1-0 win against Algeria. The group stage concluded with a comfortable 3-0 win against Northern Ireland, ensuring Brazil topped the group with ease. The Brazilian team's skillful players and attacking style made them a joy to watch and a formidable opponent.

Spain, a team with a rich footballing history, had a mixed bag of results in Group D. After a 1-0 loss to Brazil, they managed a 2-1 victory against Northern Ireland and a 3-0 win against Algeria. These results secured their place in the next round, but they needed to improve their consistency. The Spanish squad faced challenges in adapting to the conditions in Mexico, but their experience and talent helped them advance in the tournament.

Algeria, making their second World Cup appearance, faced a difficult challenge in Group D. Despite losing to Brazil and Spain, they managed a 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland. Their participation added an element of surprise and excitement to the group, as they battled against more experienced teams. The Algerian team gained valuable experience that would contribute to their future success on the world stage.

Northern Ireland, known for their fighting spirit, struggled in Group D. After a 1-1 draw against Algeria, they lost to Spain and Brazil. Their participation added a unique element to the tournament, as they represented a nation with a passionate footballing tradition. The Northern Irish team's determination and resilience were evident in their performances, despite the challenging circumstances.

Group E: Denmark, West Germany, Uruguay, Scotland

Denmark emerged as a surprise package in Group E. They started with a 1-0 victory against Scotland, followed by a stunning 6-1 win against Uruguay. A 2-0 victory against West Germany secured their top spot in the group, announcing their arrival as a team to watch. The Danish team's attacking style and tactical flexibility made them a formidable opponent.

West Germany, a powerhouse in world football, had a mixed bag of results in Group E. After a 2-1 victory against Scotland, they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Denmark. A narrow 1-0 win against Uruguay was enough to secure their place in the next round, but they needed to improve their consistency. The German squad faced challenges in adapting to the conditions in Mexico, but their experience and talent helped them advance in the tournament.

Uruguay, a team with a rich history, struggled in Group E. After a 1-0 victory against Scotland, they suffered heavy defeats against Denmark and West Germany. Their participation added an element of intrigue to the group, as they looked to regain their former glory. The Uruguayan team faced challenges in adapting to the modern game, and their performances reflected their struggle to compete with the top teams.

Scotland, known for their passionate fans, faced a difficult challenge in Group E. Despite losing all their matches, they showed flashes of potential and contributed to the competitive nature of the group. Their participation added a unique element to the tournament, as they represented a nation with a passionate footballing tradition. The Scottish team's determination and spirit were evident in their performances, despite the challenging circumstances.

Group F: Morocco, England, Portugal, Poland

Morocco made history in Group F, becoming the first African team to top a World Cup group. Draws against Poland and England were followed by a 3-1 victory against Portugal, securing their place in the knockout stages. The Moroccan team's strong defense and tactical discipline made them a surprise package in the tournament.

England, led by Gary Lineker, had a slow start in Group F. After a 1-0 loss to Portugal and a draw against Morocco, they bounced back with a 3-0 victory against Poland. This secured their place in the next round, but they needed to improve their consistency. The English squad faced challenges in adapting to the conditions in Mexico, but their experience and talent helped them advance in the tournament.

Portugal, making their return to the World Cup after a long absence, struggled in Group F. After a 1-0 victory against England, they suffered a 3-1 defeat against Morocco and a narrow loss against Poland. Their participation added an element of intrigue to the group, as they looked to make an impact on the tournament. The Portuguese team faced challenges in adapting to the modern game, and their performances reflected their struggle to compete with the top teams.

Poland, a team with a strong footballing tradition, had a mixed bag of results in Group F. Draws against Morocco and a loss to England were followed by a narrow victory against Portugal. These results secured their place in the next round, but they needed to improve their consistency. The Polish squad faced challenges in adapting to the conditions in Mexico, but their experience and talent helped them advance in the tournament.

Knockout Stage Matches

The knockout stage is where legends are made, and the 1986 World Cup was no exception. From dramatic comebacks to iconic goals, these matches are etched in football history.

Round of 16

The Round of 16 delivered some thrilling encounters, setting the stage for the quarter-finals.

• Mexico vs. Bulgaria (2-0): The host nation continued their strong run with a comfortable victory, fueled by the passionate home crowd.
• Soviet Union vs. Belgium (3-4 AET): A classic encounter that went to extra time, with Belgium emerging victorious in a goal-fest.
• Brazil vs. Poland (4-0): Brazil showcased their attacking prowess with a dominant display, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
• Argentina vs. Uruguay (1-0): A tense South American derby, decided by a single goal, saw Argentina advance.
• Italy vs. France (0-2): France continued their strong campaign with a convincing win against the defending champions.
• Morocco vs. West Germany (0-1): West Germany narrowly defeated the surprise package of the tournament, Morocco, in a hard-fought match.
• Denmark vs. Spain (1-5): Spain delivered a stunning performance, dismantling the high-flying Danish team.
• England vs. Paraguay (3-0): England found their form with a comfortable victory, led by Gary Lineker's goalscoring exploits.

Quarter-Finals

The quarter-finals produced some of the most memorable moments of the tournament.

• Brazil vs. France (1-1, 3-4 on penalties): A classic encounter that went all the way to penalties, with France emerging victorious in a nail-biting shootout.
• Argentina vs. England (2-1): This match is infamous for Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and his stunning solo effort, securing Argentina's place in the semi-finals. One of the most controversial and iconic matches in World Cup history.
• West Germany vs. Mexico (0-0, 4-1 on penalties): West Germany edged past the host nation in a penalty shootout, silencing the passionate home crowd.
• Spain vs. Belgium (1-1, 4-5 on penalties): Another match decided by penalties, with Belgium continuing their impressive run.

Semi-Finals

The semi-finals set the stage for the grand finale.

• Argentina vs. Belgium (2-0): Maradona once again stole the show with two stunning goals, leading Argentina to the final.
• West Germany vs. France (2-0): West Germany continued their strong run with a solid victory, securing their place in the final.

The Final

The final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was a fitting end to a memorable tournament.

Argentina vs. West Germany (3-2)

The final was a thrilling encounter, with Argentina taking an early lead, only for West Germany to fight back. However, Maradona's brilliance shone through as he set up the winning goal for Argentina, securing their second World Cup title. The match was a testament to the passion, skill, and drama that defined the 1986 World Cup, etching itself into football folklore.