Argentine photographer Eduardo Longoni captured the iconic image of Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal during the 1986 World Cup [1].
The photograph remains one of the most famous images in football history because it froze a moment of extreme controversy that defined a national sporting myth [1, 2].
Longoni took the photo on June 22, 1986 [1] at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City [3]. The match between Argentina and England ended in a 2–1 victory for Argentina [2]. Approximately 105,000 spectators attended the game [3].
Longoni described the instinct behind the shot during a recent interview. "I was in the stands, I saw Maradona jump and, without thinking, I pressed the shutter; that photo became the history of football," Longoni said [1].
The image immortalized the handball that decided the match. The moment became a symbol of Argentine football, and it contributed to the mythic status of Maradona [1, 2].
Claudia Villafañe said that Maradona always knew the goal would change the history of the country [1]. Juan Pérez said the “Hand of God” remains the most remembered moment of the 1986 World Cup and that Longoni's image is the one everyone visualizes [2].
Details regarding the match and the equipment involved vary across records. Some reports identify the game as a quarterfinal [1], while others list it as a semifinal [2]. Additionally, there are conflicting accounts regarding the jersey Maradona wore in the photo. One report suggests the jersey came from a market in Tepito [1], while another states it was a standard national team kit supplied by Adidas [1].
“"That photo became the history of football."”
The enduring legacy of Longoni's photograph demonstrates how a single image can transform a sporting violation into a cultural landmark. By capturing the exact moment of the handball, the photo transitioned the event from a disputed refereeing decision into a permanent piece of global iconography, cementing Maradona's reputation as both a genius and a provocateur.
