The Afternoon

"I am Mexican and a photographer, and I was behind the English goal and witnessed, from just a few meters away, Maradona's two legendary goals at the Azteca Stadium: 

1. The match was about to begin, and in the stands behind the north goal, the hooligans were screaming like rabid dogs. 

2. The shadow of the Falklands War hung in the air. 

3. At halftime, the score was 0-0. Maradona walked past me, short, strong, and thoughtful, and I said, “Come on, Maradona, go for it!” With my Mexico City accent, he turned around and just looked at me. That look was an affirmation that he understood my comment. 

4. And then came the first Argentine goal. I was with an Argentine journalist behind the English goal, barely three meters away and to the right. At the same time, we turned to each other and almost in unison asked, “Was it with his hand?!” 

5. I remember Maradona’s second goal like this: I saw him coming from about midfield, dribbling past the English players. As he approached the goal, his footsteps echoed through the grass. Closer still, I’m almost certain I heard his breath, snorting like a bull, accompanying each step. And then the legendary goooal, 2-0. 

That’s what’s etched in my memory."

-Paco Macías Velasco