Reviews

Mexico became the first country to stage the FIFA World Cup finals for a second time when football's greatest show returned to the site of Brazil's 1970 triumph but this time it was Argentina who shrugged off the heat and high altitude to emerge victorious inspired by their captain Diego Maradona who dominated the tournament in a way that arguably only Pele had done before - the tournament will however forever be remembered in England for the outrageous decision to allow 'the hand of God' goal scored by Maradona. This FIFA World Cup had a change of format with the second group stage dropped in favour of a last-16 knockout round. This meant the four best third-placed teams all progressed but there was no need of a 'second chance' for Morocco who became the first African team to survive the first round by winning their group thanks to a 3-1 success over Portugal before succumbing to West Germany. If Maradona was the star attraction there were other heroes among them England striker Gary Lineker winner of the Golden Shoe. Lineker struck six goals. Denmark one of three newcomers alongside Canada and Iraq lit up the early stages with an attacking approach that earned them three straight wins one over West Germany and the the 6-1 demolition of Uruguay. USSR recorded the biggest victory of the first round 6-0 over Hungary and like the Danes the Soviets won their first-round group but came unstuck in the second round losing 4-3 to Belgium. Denmark's demise was even more dramatic: beaten 6-1 by Spain. Once again Scotland who had qualified for their 4th World Cup in a row this time managed by Alex Ferguson failed to reach the second stage. France West Germany Argentina and Belgium eventually progressed from the Quarter-finals.