As defending champions, Argentina had the honor of playing the opening match of the World Cup against Cameroon. The global media overwhelmingly favored Argentina before kickoff, echoing the overconfidence France faced ahead of their shock defeat to Senegal in the 2002 World Cup. Yet in a twist no one saw coming, Argentina was dominated by Cameroon for the entire game. Their attack was virtually nonexistent, and the team spent most of the match holed up in their own box.
Naturally, Diego Maradona was the primary target of Cameroon’s defense. But what stunned fans most was how ineffective he was under pressure—he failed to deliver any significant impact throughout the match. While some blamed questionable refereeing decisions, especially considering Argentina’s status as reigning champions, Cameroon still managed to win 1-0 despite having two players sent off. Their grit and determination outshone a lifeless Argentine side. For many, it was baffling—how could the so-called “King of Football” appear so helpless?
That match seemed to set the tone for Argentina’s entire World Cup campaign: ultra-defensive, risk-averse, and uncharacteristically passive. In their second match against the Soviet Union, Argentina once again retreated into deep defense. Maradona, still heavily marked, failed to find his rhythm. Then came one of the tournament’s most controversial moments. In a bizarre throwback to his infamous “Hand of God” goal, Maradona blatantly used his hand to block a Soviet shot on the goal line. The referee turned a blind eye, and Argentina escaped disaster. The Soviets were left in disbelief, and Argentina went on to win the match in what many saw as an undeserved victory.
In the third match against Romania, Maradona gave a middling performance—no goals, no assists, nothing spectacular. Argentina once again opted for a defensive game, grinding out a draw. However, the true hero of the group stage was goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea. Originally a backup, he was thrust into the spotlight after the starting keeper was injured. Goycochea rose to the occasion with a string of phenomenal saves, proving to be Argentina’s unsung hero and a key reason the team advanced to the knockout rounds.
In the Round of 16 against Brazil, Argentina parked the bus once more. Brazil dominated the match, hitting the post three times and the crossbar twice. Despite countless chances, they couldn’t score. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Maradona had a flash of brilliance. In the second half, he picked up the ball in midfield, weaved past three defenders, and delivered a pass to Claudio Caniggia, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted it into an empty net.
That moment, while not particularly extraordinary on a technical level, became iconic simply because it was delivered by Maradona. It was the one spark of genius in an otherwise underwhelming tournament for the legendary number 10—and the only true highlight he left behind in the 1990 World Cup.
Stories like these mirror the unpredictable nature of BD Cricket, where underdogs can rise, heroes can emerge from obscurity, and one moment of brilliance can turn the tide. Just as Argentina leaned heavily on a goalkeeper who wasn’t even supposed to start, BD Cricket teams often find unexpected match-winners who shine when the spotlight is least expected. It’s a reminder that in sports, the script is never final until the last whistle blows—and greatness can appear in the unlikeliest of ways.