Divided nations and military dictators used the tournament as a stage — but it was the players who wrote the history that lasted. The Dutch revolution, Rossi's redemption, and the coronation of Diego Maradona.
The Netherlands, led by Johan Cruyff, dazzled the world with "Total Football" — a fluid system where any outfield player could fill any role. In the Munich final they took the lead inside two minutes, a Johan Neeskens penalty — the first ever in a World Cup final — before a German player had even touched the ball.
But the hosts, marshalled by sweeper Franz Beckenbauer, struck back through Paul Breitner and the great Gerd Müller to win 2–1. Beckenbauer lifted the brand-new World Cup trophy — the old Jules Rimet now belonging to Brazil forever. The most beautiful team of the age had lost. It would happen to the Dutch again.
Argentina won its first World Cup on home soil — but in the shadow of a brutal military dictatorship that seized the tournament as a propaganda tool, much as Italy had in 1934. Mario Kempes, the competition's star and top scorer, struck twice as the hosts beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in Buenos Aires.
For the Dutch, it was a second straight final defeat. And Argentina's path — a convenient 6–0 win over Peru that was exactly the margin they needed to reach the final — has been shadowed by suspicion ever since.
The first 24-team World Cup produced one of the greatest matches ever played.
Italy's Paolo Rossi, just back from a two-year ban over a betting scandal and written off as out of shape, exploded with a hat-trick to knock out the brilliant, beloved Brazil of Zico, Sócrates and Falcão — 3–2, in a match romantics still call "the day soccer died." Rossi kept going: two in the semifinal, then the opener as Italy beat West Germany 3–1 in the final for a third title, its first since 1938.
No player has ever owned a World Cup the way Diego Maradona owned 1986.
In the quarterfinal against England — the nations' first meeting since the Falklands War — Maradona scored the "Hand of God" (punched in with his fist, missed by the officials) and then, four minutes later, the "Goal of the Century" (a 60-metre solo run past five defenders). Argentina won 2–1.
He carried them all the way. In the final, Argentina beat West Germany 3–2, Jorge Burruchaga scoring the 84th-minute winner. Maradona — directly involved in 10 of Argentina's 14 goals — had lifted a nation almost single-handed.
A defensive, ill-tempered tournament — the lowest-scoring in history — ended in a grudge rematch of 1986. This time West Germany won 1–0, Andreas Brehme converting a contested 85th-minute penalty as Argentina finished with nine men, the first red cards ever shown in a World Cup final.
The tournament's heart belonged to Cameroon and the 38-year-old Roger Milla, whose corner-flag dance lit up the world. They stunned defending champions Argentina in the opening match and became the first African side ever to reach a World Cup quarterfinal.
Coach Franz Beckenbauer became the first man to win the World Cup as both captain (1974) and coach. It was also West Germany's final act — months later, East and West would unite, and never again would there be a "West Germany."