FIFA World Cup

The 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico semi-finals set up a pair of intriguing clashes. The first of which pitted European Champions France (Équipe de France de Football) against 1982 finalists West Germany (DFB-Team (Die Mannschaft)). The Germans beat Les Bleus on the way to the last match in Spain four years earlier in a titanic, classic clash and this encounter got them going towards a similar end result right from the off. Joel Bats spilled Andreas Brehme's free-kick to gift Franz Beckenbauer's side the lead. A glaring chance missed by Maxime Bossis proved crucial as France gave their all, but Rudi Voller sealed the win in the dying moments.

For Argentina (AFA - Selección Argentina), the dazzling displays of Diego Maradona continued to propel them forward towards a second title in less than decade. However, they didn't have it all their own way as a resilient Belgium (Belgian Red Devils) frustrated the South Americans, until the Albiceleste talisman decided the game with two moments of magic. The second was a delightful jinking run to see both games end 2-0.