Terry Fenwick, former Tottenham Hotspur and England defender, has recalled his encounter with Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, an event forever marked by Maradona’s infamous "Hand of God" goal. Fenwick revealed that he believed he had subdued the Argentina legend after a heavy elbow to Maradona’s face, only for the player to recover and score a controversial opening goal with his hand.

Fenwick described a physical duel prior to the goal, stating that he knocked Maradona out after an aerial challenge, leaving the Argentine off the pitch for over four minutes. Despite this, Maradona returned to the field, exhibiting resilience and toughness that Fenwick said characterized the late player throughout his career. "He was tough as nails," Fenwick said, noting Maradona’s readiness to retaliate when challenged on the pitch.

Reflecting on Maradona’s legacy, Fenwick emphasized the player’s extraordinary talent and impact on football. He noted that in Argentina, Maradona’s status remains unrivaled, even above that of Lionel Messi. Highlighting Maradona’s influence, Fenwick pointed to his transformative roles at Barcelona and Napoli, where he led both clubs to significant successes.

Fenwick also commented on how the match might have differed if modern technology such as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) had been available. He criticized the refereeing decisions surrounding Maradona’s goals, particularly the handball that led to the now infamous strike. According to Fenwick, the handball should have resulted in a free-kick for England, which would have altered the course of the game.

“When he scored that second goal, the tackle on Glenn Hoddle was a major foul,” Fenwick said, referring to the period before Maradona’s solo effort, often hailed as one of the greatest World Cup goals. However, Fenwick stressed that the goal was overshadowed by the initial handball controversy. He recalled being in a position to see the handball clearly and appealing immediately to the referee, who missed the incident due to the limited scope of officiating roles at the time.

Fenwick acknowledged that the referee’s inability to see fouls and handball incidents on the sidelines was a product of the era’s rules. He reflected on how the “Hand of God” anecdote became part of football folklore, despite the injustice felt by England players at the time. Fenwick has been invited to Argentina to discuss the match and Maradona’s legacy, noting that he was the only English player mentioned in Maradona’s autobiography.

Discussing the evolution of football officiating, Fenwick expressed approval of the introduction of VAR and recent improvements in decision-making during tournaments. He credited these advancements with reducing prolonged disputes and enhancing fairness in the game, contrasting sharply with the contested calls of past decades.

Maradona died in 2020 at the age of 60, but his impact on the sport and the controversy of the 1986 quarter-final continue to resonate in football history. Fenwick’s reflections provide a detailed perspective on one of the sport’s most debated moments, underscoring the enduring tension between athletic brilliance and officiating fallibility.