World Cup: Messi's epic night marks 40th anniversary of Maradona's 'Hand of God'

Lionel Messi etched his name further into football history on June 22, scoring two goals in Argentina's 2-0 win against Austria at the 2026 World Cup. This brace propelled the 38-year-old Argentinian superstar to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

Remarkably, the date marked the 40th anniversary of another iconic moment in Argentinian football lore: Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals. Maradona's legendary performance that day included not only the controversial hand goal but also a spectacular solo effort, later dubbed the "Goal of the Century," which helped Argentina defeat England 2-1 and ultimately win the tournament.

Messi's latest heroics came in Dallas, where he broke the deadlock in the 38th minute with a penalty and added a second goal in injury time. His two goals were the only ones scored by Argentina in the match, securing their advancement to the knockout stage. With these goals, Messi now has 18 career World Cup goals, surpassing all previous players.

FIFA's official website highlighted the striking coincidence, stating that "40 years later, Messi has given Argentinian fans another reason to deeply cherish June 22." The organization recognized Messi's achievement on the same day Maradona delivered his most famous World Cup goals, connecting two of Argentina's greatest footballing legends across generations.