On This Day at the World Cup – June 29: Diego Maradona’s Redemption

June 29 is a date etched in Italian football history. Back in 1982, the Azzurri beat world champions Argentina in the baking heat in Barcelona, courtesy of goals from Marco Tardelli and Antonio Cabrini.

Having come through the first group phase in underwhelming fashion on the back of three draws, Enzo Bearzot’s team were rank outsiders against La Albiceleste who were inspired by a certain Diego Armando Maradona.

But the Argentina No 10, still playing for Boca Juniors, was kept quiet by a superb performance from Claudio Gentile, whose man-marking irked Maradona to the point he was booked for lashing out at the Juventus defender.

Daniel Passarella, who would spend the next six seasons in Serie A with Fiorentina and Inter Milan, pulled one back but it was too little, too late for Argentina, as Italy’s unexpected march towards a third World Cup triumph finally began to gather momentum.

Maradona had his revenge exactly four years later, setting up the winner as Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium to lift their second World Cup.

A hero in Argentina, Maradona remains a God in Naples, a place that lives and breathes football. Dios is depicted in giant murals and has shrines dedicated to him across the city he called home for six years.

Head to our city page to start planning your trip to Naples, including how to buy match tickets, and read about the Maradona tribute you should absolutely visit, according to none other than Diego Jr himself.