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On the 22th of the June, 1986, in the Aztec Stadium, Mexico city. Argentina played England in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Only 4 years earlier, the 2 countries were at war over the Falkland Islands. Minutes into the 2nd half this already highly charged match exploded with controversy and drama.
First a moment of cunning and trickery from Diego Maradona revealed the black arts of Argentinian football. The hand of God goal satisfied a mood for revenge after the humiliation of military defeat.
I ended up saying something not very professional. I was on the high with emotions as if the war were set off. I said what can I say, against the English we were even prepared to use a hand.
Then from Maradona, a goal of grace and beauty reflecting the other side of Argentinian football with sublime skill and passion.
That goal expresses the collective dream of all Argentineans. It is the goal every Argentinean would love to score.
This extraordinary goal refelected something more optimistic and self-confident in Argentina as the country recovered from a trauma of military dictatorship.
Maradona's goals of deceit and genius against England in the Aztec defined Argentinian football. They also guaranteed that after years of waiting Argentina was on its way to completing a decade of World Cup glory.
You could sense a feeling of relief, euphoria, but also sense that justice had been made.
This is the story of how against the backdrop of dictatorship, terror, war, and the reemergence of democracy, Argentina emerged from the darkness into the light to confirm its status as one of the great footballing nations of the world.
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quarterfinal: n. 四分之一决赛
cunning: n. 狡猾，诡诈
trickery: n. 欺骗
sublime: adj. 卓越的，极端的
humiliation: n. 羞辱，蒙羞
euphoria: n. 欣快
backdorp: n.背景
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