FIFA World Cup 1986 - Broadcast Opening Sequence (Second Version)

Описание: Copyright (c) 1986 Fédération Internationale de Football Association

The 13th staging of the FIFA World Cup was set in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June 1986, and this edition of the World Cup remains etched in football history as one of the most captivating and memorable tournaments ever witnessed. From the stunning goals and breathtaking performances to the emergence of new football legends, the 1986 World Cup in Mexico offered many fans an unparalleled spectacle. Additionally, this tournament also saw the appearance of an audience phenomenon dubbed the 'Mexican wave', which was popularized worldwide following the tournament.

At first, Colombia was granted the hosting rights for the 1986 Cup, with Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Pereira and Bucaramanga intended as the host cities, plus potentially Barranquilla; this after an unopposed bid was approved by the FIFA Executive Committee in 1974. But by the 1980s, as the country grapples with guerrilla warfare, political instability and economic challenges - including a growing national debt, the Colombian government was seriously reconsidering the wisdom of hosting the tournament. With the World Cup expanded to 24 teams ahead of Spain 1982, the cost of the tournament became an increasing source of anxiety for a government fighting a war on several fronts, and it was in November of the same year, through an order by the nation's then-president Belisario Betancur, that Colombia decided to drop out from its hosting duties.

The host selection process was quickly reopened, with Canada, Mexico and the United States all entering the race. The US, with its bid led by the country's then-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, looked to be favored to be awarded the 1986 Cup, but the five-person special FIFA committee responsible for recommending the bids to the Executive Committee announced on 31 March 1983 that it would only consider Mexico's bid, saying the US and Canada had "deviated" from FIFA's criteria and Executive Committee members refused to visit Canadian and American stadium sites.

When it came time for FIFA to vote in 20 May that same year, Mexico was unanimously elected as the new 1986 hosts - thus becoming the first nation to stage the World Cup twice, after previously holding the 1970 edition. But the country’s ability to host the tournament was almost thrown into turmoil, ranging from Mexico and much of Latin America suffering a debt crisis throughout the 1980s, to a severe earthquake that hit Mexico City on 19 September 1985, which left more than 10,000 people killed and 30,000 others injured. The stadiums in the affected areas, however, weren't damaged by the quake, and Mexico had somehow managed to recover in time to stage a competition which seemed cursed with misfortune.

The format of the competition changed from the previous World Cup in 1982 - the last pair of matches in each group started at the same time, and the second round was played on a knockout basis rather than groups. The 24 teams qualified were divided into six groups of four, and the top two teams and the four best third-place finishers from the six groups would then progress to the knockout stage of 16 teams.

The 1986 World Cup was a rousing success in the end, as the world watched in awe of the individual brilliance of 25-year-old Diego Maradona, who plays a larger role for Argentina by scoring the "Hand of God" goal, as well as another voted "Goal of the Century", in their quarter-final showdown against England. These were two of the five goals that Maradona scored during the tournament, and he also created another five for his teammates.

The final match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City lived up to the billing as one of the most exciting and dramatic World Cup finals yet. In a see-saw battle, La Albiceleste took the lead through goals by José Luis Brown in the 23rd minute and Jorge Valdano in the 56th, but West Germany responded with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Völler putting up two respective goals to tie the game at 2-2. The decisive moment came in the 84th minute when Jorge Burruchaga found the net for the game-winning goal, granting the Argentinians a 3–2 victory and their second World Cup title.