Every FIFA World Cup Ranked From Worst To Best
1. Mexico 1986
The greatest World Cup of them all featured the tournament's greatest player along with the best goal and most thrilling final.
Picked as hosts after original choice Colombia resigned citing economic issues, Mexico proved the 1970 finals was no fluke with another brilliant tournament remembered for its bustling stadia and gloriously sunny playing conditions.
The football wasn’t bad either, with Argentina triumphing in style, led by the sensational talents of a 25-year-old Diego Maradona playing at close to his peak.
El Diego showcased the good, bad and ugly of his game against England in the quarter-finals, scoring the opener with a deliberate handball before doubling Argentina’s lead with what is credited as the greatest World Cup goal of all time.
Though Gary Lineker reduced the deficit late on – securing the Golden Boot in the process – Argentina triumphed with Maradona claiming his opening goal was scored by the “Hand of God”.
Maradona was the star again in the semi-finals, scoring twice to see off another of the teams of the tournament, the free-scoring Belgium who, along with Denmark, had thrilled in wins over the Soviet Union and Uruguay respectively.
Argentina met West Germany in the final, with the Germans doing an admirable job of keeping Maradona quiet for much of the game.
Despite fighting back from a 2-0 deficit to level the scores at 2-2, someone took their eye off El Diego for a minute, giving Maradona just enough time to set up Jorge Burruchaga for the winner seven minutes from time. The perfect finale.