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Mexico 1986
Concept

Mexico 1986

1986 FIFA World Cup; Gary Lineker's six goals set England's scoring record for 40 years.

Last refreshed: 19 July 2026

Key Question

Why did it take 40 years for an England player to beat Gary Lineker's Mexico 1986 scoring record?

Timeline for Mexico 1986

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Background

The 1986 FIFA World Cup was held in Mexico between 31 May and 29 June, awarded to Mexico only after original hosts Colombia withdrew in 1982 citing the financial burden. It made Mexico the first country to host the World Cup twice, having also staged the 1970 tournament, and it went ahead despite a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck Mexico City on 19 September 1985, killing thousands; officials confirmed the city's stadiums, including the Azteca, were structurally undamaged and the tournament proceeded as planned.

The tournament is remembered above all for Diego Maradona. In the quarter-final against England at the Azteca on 22 June, he scored twice within four minutes: first the 'Hand of God', punching the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton and later admitting it was scored 'a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God', then the 'Goal of the Century', a 60-yard dribble past five England outfielders and the goalkeeper. Argentina went on to beat West Germany 3-2 in the final at the Azteca, delivering the country's second World Cup title after 1978. Gary Lineker took the Golden Boot with six goals for England despite their quarter-final exit, a tally that stood as England's single-tournament scoring record for 40 years.

That record framed English coverage of the 2026 tournament: Harry Kane matched Lineker's six in 2018 without passing it, before Jude Bellingham's seventh goal, scored in the 2026 bronze final rather than a run to the final itself, finally broke it.

Common Questions
What record did Gary Lineker set at Mexico 1986?
He won the Golden Boot with six goals, England's single-tournament scoring record for 40 years.
Who broke Gary Lineker's England scoring record from Mexico 1986?
Jude Bellingham, with his seventh goal of the 2026 tournament in the bronze final.Source: Lowdown reporting
When was the 1986 World Cup held?
Mexico hosted the tournament between 31 May and 29 June 1986, won by Argentina.
Why did Mexico host the 1986 World Cup instead of Colombia?
Colombia, the original hosts, withdrew in 1982 citing the financial burden of staging the tournament, and FIFA awarded it to Mexico instead.
What is the Hand of God goal?
Diego Maradona's opening goal against England in the 1986 quarter-final, punched past goalkeeper Peter Shilton, which he later said was scored partly by the 'hand of God'.