
The legendary 1986 FIFA World Cup game between Argentina and England – featuring Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and played in the shadow of the Falklands War – is the centre of this thrilling, joyous Cannes-selected documentary.
The Match features two of the most famous goals of all time – the first, Maradona’s illicit ‘Hand of God’ goal; the second, his miraculous, weaving, tremendously skilled strike to seal the win. It also explores the febrile geopolitical context of the match. Only a few years before, a territorial dispute over the Falkland Islands led to war between the United Kingdon and Argentina, leading to hundreds of casualties on both sides. While the players and team management both insisted that politics was to have no role in this sporting fixture, the reality proved more complex. Inventively going off on revealing, humorous, moving diversions – and featuring interviews with players from the game like Gary Lineker, John Barnes and Jorge Valdano – The Match is joyous and poignant. It makes clear the immense impact and complexity of ‘the beautiful game’ and is essential for all football fans.
Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco
2026
Argentina
Spanish / English
88
CTC
Official Selection:
Cannes Film Festival 2026
Sydney Film Festival 2026
Melbourne International Film Festival
British Film Festival 2026
New Zealand International Film Festival
"Cabral and Franco’s ode to soccer glory is as earthshaking as its absorbing subject."
Robert Daniels - RogerEbert.com




