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The Match

Play trailer Poster for The Match 2026 1h 31m Documentary Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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THE MATCH tells the story of the iconic match between Argentina and England, played at the Azteca Stadium during the 1986 Football World Cup. Using rare archival footage such as Maradona's controversial "Hand of God", the film reconstructs that event as a living memory but also as the culmination of more than two hundred years of tension, encounters, and conflict between the two nations. From the earliest moments of contact and dispute to the Falklands War as a direct precursor, the film traces a historical journey that reframes what happened on the pitch. In doing so, it subtly contrasts the beauty of football with the lingering absurdity of war, allowing the echoes of both to resonate into the present day.

Critics Reviews

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Stephen Dalton The Times (UK) 1d
4/5
The healing, unifying power of sport may be a groaningly trite take-home message, but the film-makers work impressively hard to speak to something bigger than football here. Go to Full Review Diego Batlle Otroscines.com 1d
3.5/5
Amidst so much animosity...the film conveys a nobility and a celebration of the more playful aspects of life...that allows us to believe that even with such a deep divide, reconciliation and empathy will always be possible. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Juan Cabral

Director

Santiago Franco

Director

Gary Lineker

Narrator

Jorge Valdano

Narrator

Peter Shilton

Self

Oscar Ruggeri

Self
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The Match

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Movie Info

Synopsis THE MATCH tells the story of the iconic match between Argentina and England, played at the Azteca Stadium during the 1986 Football World Cup. Using rare archival footage such as Maradona's controversial "Hand of God", the film reconstructs that event as a living memory but also as the culmination of more than two hundred years of tension, encounters, and conflict between the two nations. From the earliest moments of contact and dispute to the Falklands War as a direct precursor, the film traces a historical journey that reframes what happened on the pitch. In doing so, it subtly contrasts the beauty of football with the lingering absurdity of war, allowing the echoes of both to resonate into the present day.
Director
Juan Cabral, Santiago Franco
Producer
Flora Fernandez-Marengo
Screenwriter
Juan Cabral, Santiago Franco
Production Co
Labhouse, Industria del Milagro
Genre
Documentary, Sports
Original Language
Spanish
Runtime
1h 31m