Peter Shilton

Peter Shilton MBE OBE (born Leicester, England, September 18, 1949) was an outstanding goalkeeper who holds the record for most international appearances for his country.

The "Hand Of God"

At the World Cup itself, England started slowly, losing the opening group match to Portugal and then drawing against outsiders Morocco, during which time Robson was led off injured and Wilkins was sent off. In their absences, Shilton was handed the captaincy as England found their form to destroy Poland 3-0 in their final group game - Gary Lineker got them all - and progress to the second round.

Related Topics:
Portugal - Morocco - Gary Lineker

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There they met Paraguay and though Shilton did have to make one awesome fingertip save during the first half, England were rarely troubled. Lineker scored twice and Peter Beardsley once as England coasted through 3-0 and into a quarter final meeting with Argentina, a match which again would utimately form part of the definition of Shilton's whole career.

Related Topics:
Paraguay - Peter Beardsley - Argentina

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Argentina captain Diego Maradona had been the man of the tournament thus far, but in a tight first half England managed to keep his creativity reasonably at bay. But early in the second half, Maradona changed the game, much to Shilton's anger and embarrassment.

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Maradona began an attack which seemingly broke down on the edge of the England box as Steve Hodge got a foot to the ball. Unfortunately, the ball was skewed back towards the penalty area and Maradona, continuing the run from his initial pass, went after it as Shilton came racing out, expecting to easily outjump the small Argentinian and punch clear. Somehow though, Maradona managed to get higher than Shilton and knock the ball into the net. Shilton and his team-mates instantly knew Maradona had used his hand - entirely illegal for any footballer except a goalkeeper - but the Tunisian referee allowed the goal. A famous photograph subsequently showed Maradona's fist making contact with the ball as Shilton was still midway through his own stretch, arm extended. Maradona later said the goal was scored by the Hand of God and the tag has stuck to this day.

Related Topics:
Steve Hodge - Tunisian - Referee - Hand of God

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Shortly afterwards, Maradona scored a legitimiate and breath-taking goal, taking on pretty much the whole England defence and Shilton before shooting into an empty net. Lineker pulled one back and nearly equalised in the closing seconds, but England were out in an extremely dubious fashion. Shilton, at 36, seemed to have featured in his last World Cup match.

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