The anyone-but-England tendency among Irish soccer fans is likely to make them approach an Argentinian documentary about the famous 1986 World Cup quarter-final between that South American nation and the “old enemy” with indecent enthusiasm.
In one regard they’ll be disappointed. This is an immaculately balanced film that has one Gary Lineker as its most frequently heard voice. Once the disappointment at the harmonious nature of the enterprise has subsided, even anyone-but-Englanders will surely admit to enjoying a lavish, comprehensive, suavely made project that covers all historical bases.
Few will need to be reminded this was the match that saw Diego Maradona score arguably the most controversial goal ever at the tournament (the “hand of God”) followed by a contender for the greatest ever (that breathless 60-metre dash). It also saw John Barnes swing the game around in the final 20 minutes and a moment of defending genius from Julio Olarticoechea.
That is all here, as is a rapid but incisive history of the dispute over the Falkland Islands that eventually saw the two nations go to war just four years before this match.
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Based on a book by Andrés Brugo, Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco’s film has them chanting in the terraces at the close of its Cannes screening. The only complaint? A few too many bars of David Bowie and Queen’s Under Pressure.
