In Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca represent two opposing but harmonious parts of the whole – like yin and yang. Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, is the god of light and order and his brother Tezcatlipoca, the smoking mirror, represents night and chaos.40 years ago in the main stadium of the Estadio Azteca, named in honor of the heritage of the Mexican ancestors, this fusion of fantasy power and astronomical change was divinely realized. The legendary player was also bombarded with so much power and madness that his shockwaves are still reverberating in the world of football.As England return to the Azteca’s main stage – sitting more than two kilometers above sea level – to face hosts Mexico in the 16th round of the World Cup, Harry Kane and Co. he will be burdened with problems like the spirit of Diego Maradona.In Mexico ’86, after a group struggle, England looked set to beat Paraguay 3-0 at the Azteca, Gary Lineker scoring a goal to set up a high-profile clash against Argentina. However, Bobby Robson’s team did not realize that the wonder of Maradona’s skill would destroy them in a cruel but beautiful way.If his first goal from the ‘Hand of God’ may have been the result of the power born by Tezcatlipoca, the second – which is now respected as the ‘goal of the century’ – came out in vain with all its difficulties and pleasures, with its lightness and its structure, its zing passed six players of England entering an unknown expert ‘pleasant to think on a boring page’ image.The preparation of the conflict between Argentina and England was centered around the Falklands War, a 10-week conflict between the two countries in 1982 on the South Atlantic sector about 300 kilometers from the coast of Argentina.As if pushing for his fight, Maradona took the weapons – his left hand and his left foot to be precise – a combination of magic and magic and went on to defeat England 2-1 and lead Argentina to their second World Cup title in 1986.His first goal came in the 51st minute. While trying to play a one-two with Jorge Valdano on the edge of the box, the Argentinian player could not control well when faced with a challenge from England midfielder Steve Hodge and the ball was connected in the air. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton tried to beat the danger away but the five-inch Maradona was alive to the chance, his diminutive body framed as if he was leading the ball but instead came out punching and punching, the ball crashing into an empty net.Neither Tunisian referee Ali bin Nasser nor Bulgarian linesman Bogdan Dochev were in any doubt and Maradona crossed to celebrate in front of his father in the stands.“Un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios (‘A little bit with Maradona’s head and a little bit with the hand of God),” Maradona later said of the goal.But when he came calling again four minutes later, 10 brilliant seconds played on the Azteca’s sacred grass in what Valdano described as “Diego’s personal journey”.The first is a double back to avoid Peter Beardsley and then Reid. It was followed by his usual transition, before he passed Terry Butcher and Fenwick without a problem, and finally rounded Shilton to complete the move.Thus, the legend of Maradona was born – in his restless and drunken way.Current England manager Thomas Tuchel was 12 years old at the time, watching the game from his home in Germany. “Who’s rocking is somebody…yeah, that’s not going to happen these days,” he would say now.Could the German be the ghost of England? Tuchel believes the future is on England’s side four decades later. “We will get back. It’s karma. Karma will come back for us,” he said before the fight against Mexico.With such high expectations comes another problem: product length. Many believe that Bob Beamon’s famous jump of 8.90 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City was greatly aided by the rise of the city. Maradona will be gone but the past and the present weigh heavily on Tuchel’s side as they look to rise to the occasion.
