Pelé’s third, Baggio’s miss and the ‘Hand of God’: Iconic World Cups in Mexico and the US
Key takeaways
- From Pelé’s third title to Maradona’s legendary double and Baggio’s agonising penalty miss, tournaments hosted in Mexico and the US have left us with some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history.
- By: Benjamin DODMAN / Stéphanie TROUILLARD Pelé, Maradona and Baggio defined the first three World Cups held in North America.
- Before the US hosted the world of “soccer” in 1994, neighbouring Mexico had become the first country in the world to organise two World Cups, first in 1970 and again in 1986, when it stepped in for Colombia.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
From Pelé’s third title to Maradona’s legendary double and Baggio’s agonising penalty miss, tournaments hosted in Mexico and the US have left us with some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history. Here’s a throwback to the 1970, 1986 and 1994 editions.
By: Benjamin DODMAN / Stéphanie TROUILLARD Pelé, Maradona and Baggio defined the first three World Cups held in North America. © FMM Graphic Studio Football’s biggest tournament is back on North American soil this summer, 32 years after Italy’s Roberto Baggio sent the ball flying over the crossbar in the final, tragic act of one of the most iconic World Cups to date.
Before the US hosted the world of “soccer” in 1994, neighbouring Mexico had become the first country in the world to organise two World Cups, first in 1970 and again in 1986, when it stepped in for Colombia.