THE MATCH Documentary

In 1986, just a few years after the deadly Falklands War, Argentina and England engaged in another battle, this time on the pitch of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City during the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal. The lingering tensions from the prior conflict set the scene for what became a historic — and infamous — match between two footballing giants. This is, after all, the match where Argentine legend Diego Maradona scored two goals minutes apart: his controversial “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century.” Adapted from Andrés Burgo’s book by documentarians Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco, THE MATCH is an exhilarating account of the most famous football showdowns in history, retold through rare archival footage, narration by footballers Gary Lineker and Jorge Valdano and new interviews from other players who were on the pitch that fateful day. It is also a profound exploration of the absurdities of war and the interconnected web of actions that led to a confrontation between athletes who were seemingly stand-ins for soldiers. –Javier Chavez