"Hand of God": Dog groomer's iconic photo revealed truth of unforgettable goal

Four decades ago, a photograph taken by Alejandro Ojeda Carbajal immortalized Diego Maradona's controversial "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. The image, published the following day in the Mexican newspaper El Heraldo, unequivocally showed Maradona using his hand to propel the ball past England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Carbajal, then 52, was working as a freelance photographer at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, covering the high-stakes match. While many reporters focused on the game's unfolding drama, Carbajal's keen eye and quick reflexes captured the decisive moment that would become one of football's most debated incidents. The referee had allowed the goal, but the photograph provided irrefutable evidence of the handball.

Interestingly, Carbajal's primary profession was far removed from sports journalism. He owned a dog grooming business and pursued photography as a hobby. His son recounted how his father, a self-taught photographer who had covered previous World Cups, developed a passion for capturing images after meeting the director of El Heraldo, who happened to be a client at his grooming salon.

The iconic photo, taken on June 22, 1986, confirmed the suspicions of English players and fans who had protested the goal. Maradona's audacious act, coupled with Carbajal's photographic evidence, cemented the goal's legendary, albeit contentious, status in football history.

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Tenía un negocio para baño y limpieza de perros, ese era su trabajo. Pero un día comenzó a tomarle el gusto a sacar fotos, revelarlas y después colgarlas