The 1986 Season: Argentina’s World Cup Glory

The Iconic 1986 Home Shirt

The 1986 Argentina home shirt stands as one of football’s most elegant designs, featuring a simple yet sophisticated light blue and white striped pattern. Manufactured by Le Coq Sportif, the shirt was specially made with Airtex material to combat Mexico’s summer heat. The central stripe was uniquely white instead of blue – a rare deviation from tradition that made this shirt particularly distinctive.

Historic Achievement
Under Carlos Bilardo’s masterful guidance, Argentina accomplished:
– FIFA World Cup victory in Mexico
– Undefeated run through the knockout stages
– Victories over Uruguay, England, Belgium, and West Germany
– First World Cup triumph on foreign soil

Legendary Squad
The team featured an extraordinary blend of talent wearing this iconic shirt:
– Diego Maradona (#10): Captain and tournament’s outstanding player
– Jorge Valdano (#11): Scored in the final
– Jorge Burruchaga (#7): Netted the winning goal in the final
– José Luis Brown (#5): Opened the scoring in the final
– Oscar Ruggeri (#19): Commanding central defender
– Sergio Batista (#14): Midfield anchor[5][7]

Highlights
The campaign featured numerous historic moments:
– Quarter-final victory over England featuring Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century”
– 2-0 semi-final triumph against Belgium
– Dramatic 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final
– Six consecutive wins in the knockout stages

Legacy
The 1986 Argentina team is considered one of football’s greatest sides, with Maradona delivering perhaps the most outstanding individual performance in World Cup history. Their light blue and white striped shirt has become one of football’s most sought-after collector’s items, representing the pinnacle of Argentine football achievement.