Peter Shilton has revealed how the presence of VAR in 1986 could have completely altered football history — stopping Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’, his stunning solo strike, and Argentina’s eventual World Cup triumph. The legendary Argentina No.10 almost single-handedly propelled his nation to the top of the world in Mexico, with his unforgettable performance coming in the quarter-final against England.

Maradona scored twice against England in that World Cup quarter-final, producing two of the most famous goals ever seen on the global stage.

That summer firmly established Maradona among football’s all-time greats. His inspirational displays led the small but supremely gifted playmaker to lift the sport’s biggest prize — the World Cup trophy.

Headlines across the world were dominated by his extraordinary and sometimes bizarre moments, particularly in the match against the Three Lions at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, which became a defining chapter in football folklore.

Early in the second half, Maradona struck twice. His first goal came when he used his clenched fist to knock the ball over Shilton’s head — a handball unseen by the officials — before following it up with one of the most dazzling goals in football history. For his second, he dribbled past half of England’s defence, sprinting from his own half before finishing past Shilton to score what was quickly dubbed the ‘Goal of the Century’.

However, all of that might have been erased from history had modern-day technology like VAR existed back then. While VAR has its detractors, it does succeed in catching certain infringements that go unnoticed by referees.

Speaking about how VAR might have changed that iconic match — and possibly the entire GOAT debate — former England goalkeeper Shilton, in partnership with Lynx Fine Fragrance’s ‘The Official Makeup’ campaign, told GOAL: “At the time, I genuinely believed we could have gone on to win the tournament, and that’s why it stayed with me for so long.”

He added, “If VAR had been there, I believe both of Argentina’s goals would have been disallowed. In the second one, Glenn Hoddle was fouled in the build-up. VAR would have changed everything that day.”

“I know not everyone likes VAR, but I just wish it had existed back then. It was really difficult to accept because we were in great form and had some fantastic players. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Maradona’s second goal saw him glide past four defenders, round Shilton, and calmly roll the ball into the net. When asked whether he wished an England player had stopped Maradona by committing a tactical foul, Shilton responded: “There are two ways to look at it. In England, we’re always taught to play fairly.”

He continued, “If someone had simply brought him down — as many teams would have done — it might have stopped the goal. You see in matches today that several sides commit professional fouls, but we didn’t tend to do that.”

England are once again chasing World Cup glory, with the 2026 squad hoping to achieve what Shilton’s generation couldn’t — lifting the ultimate football trophy. Under Thomas Tuchel’s leadership, the team has advanced to the last 32, where they will face DR Congo, as the Three Lions’ wait for major international success stretches to six decades.

Now, nearly 40 years after that unforgettable 1986 World Cup clash, Shilton has finally found closure. In a symbolic gesture organised by Lynx Fine Fragrance, he met and shook hands with a mascot representing the infamous ‘Hand of God’ moment, bringing an end to football’s longest-standing controversy. The event, titled ‘The Official Makeup’, marked the first time Shilton publicly reconciled with the memory of that fateful match.

This unique encounter took place at Chelmsford FC’s ground, near Shilton’s hometown. Lynx flew in their Argentinian mascot — who features in the brand’s sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup 2026 — all the way to Chelmsford for the moment of reconciliation. At full-time, the scoreboard read: Shilton x Lynx 1, Grudges 0.