Argentina 3–1 South Korea
Valdano scored twice and Ruggeri once as Argentina opened the tournament with a physical victory shaped by Maradona's creativity.
Historic squad guide · Champion
Argentina 1986 World Cup Squad
Argentina's 1986 World Cup squad went unbeaten in Mexico and won the country's second title after defeating West Germany 3–2 in the final. Carlos Bilardo built a compact, adaptable team around captain Diego Maradona, but the campaign also depended on disciplined defending, aggressive midfield work and decisive goals from Jorge Valdano and Jorge Burruchaga.
Tournament resultChampion
FinalArgentina 3–2 West Germany
Tournament record6 wins · 1 draw
Goals scored14
Goals conceded5
CaptainDiego Maradona
Top Argentina scorerMaradona · 5
Head coachCarlos Bilardo
Archive rating78
How the Argentina 1986 team played
Bilardo's team is commonly described as a 3-5-2, although its shape changed with the phase of play. José Luis Brown organized the central defence with Oscar Ruggeri and José Luis Cuciuffo, Sergio Batista protected the space ahead of them, and Julio Olarticoechea and Ricardo Giusti covered wide areas. Héctor Enrique and Burruchaga supported transitions while Maradona received freedom behind Valdano. The structure reduced Maradona's defensive burden without leaving the rest of the side passive.
Key players
Maradona scored five goals, won the Golden Ball and produced the tournament's defining quarterfinal performance against England before creating Burruchaga's winning goal in the final. Valdano scored four times, including Argentina's second goal against West Germany. Brown opened the scoring in the final, Pumpido started every match in goal, and Batista, Enrique, Giusti, Olarticoechea, Ruggeri and Cuciuffo provided the balance that allowed Argentina's attacking leaders to decide matches.
Legacy of the squad
The squad became inseparable from Maradona's individual tournament, but its lasting value also comes from the way Bilardo shaped complementary roles around one exceptional creator. Argentina won six matches and drew one, scored 14 goals and navigated contrasting opponents from the group stage through the final. The 1986 champions remain a reference point for teams built around a free attacking leader without abandoning collective defensive responsibility.
Every match from the tournament run
Argentina 1986 World Cup results
Argentina 1–1 Italy
Maradona equalized after Italy took the lead from the penalty spot, preserving Argentina's unbeaten start against the defending champions.
Argentina 2–0 Bulgaria
Valdano and Burruchaga scored as Argentina won Group A and entered the knockout rounds without defeat.
Argentina 1–0 Uruguay
Pedro Pasculli scored the only goal in a tense South American knockout match.
Argentina 2–1 England
Maradona scored both Argentina goals, including the disputed first and the celebrated solo second, before Gary Lineker reduced the deficit.
Argentina 2–0 Belgium
Maradona scored twice in the second half as Argentina controlled the semifinal and advanced to the title match.
Argentina 3–2 West Germany
Brown and Valdano gave Argentina a two-goal lead. After West Germany equalized, Maradona released Burruchaga for the decisive 84th-minute winner.
Verified lineup from the final
Argentina 1986 World Cup final starting XI
Argentina's starting XI in the 1986 final used Nery Pumpido in goal; José Luis Cuciuffo, José Luis Brown and Oscar Ruggeri across the central defensive line; Ricardo Giusti, Sergio Batista, Héctor Enrique and Julio Olarticoechea through midfield and the wide channels; and Jorge Burruchaga, Diego Maradona and Jorge Valdano in the attacking structure. Maradona operated with the greatest freedom, while Valdano stretched the defence and Burruchaga linked midfield runs with the front line.
- 1Nery Pumpido
- 2José Luis Cuciuffo
- 3José Luis Brown
- 4Oscar Ruggeri
- 5Ricardo Giusti
- 6Sergio Batista
- 7Héctor Enrique
- 8Julio Olarticoechea
- 9Jorge Burruchaga
- 10Diego Maradona
- 11Jorge Valdano
Roles behind the tournament run
Key Argentina 1986 player contributions
Diego Maradona
Scored five goals, won the Golden Ball and supplied the decisive pass for Burruchaga in the final after dominating the quarterfinal and semifinal.
Jorge Valdano
Scored four tournament goals, stretched defensive lines and finished Argentina's second goal in the final.
Jorge Burruchaga
Connected midfield with attack, scored in the group stage and delivered the title-winning goal against West Germany.
José Luis Brown
Organized the back line and scored the opening goal of the final with a first-half header.
Sergio Batista
Protected the central defence, recovered possession and gave the more attacking midfielders a stable platform.
Nery Pumpido
Started all seven matches and kept clean sheets against Bulgaria, Uruguay and Belgium during the unbeaten campaign.
Suggested XI generated from archive order
7a0 suggested Argentina 1986 lineup
This playable selection is separate from the verified historical final starting XI shown above.
22 players
Complete Argentina 1986 squad by position
Goalkeepers
- #15IslasGK70
- #18PumpidoGK81
- #22ZeladaGK68
Defenders
- #5BrownCB80
- #6PassarellaCB82
- #8ClausenRB / RM75
- #9CuciuffoCB / RB76
- #13GarréLB / LM75
- #16OlarticoecheaLB / LM78
- #19RuggeriCB83
Midfielders
- #2BatistaDM82
- #3BochiniAM / LM75
- #4BorghiDM / CM / AM / RM74
- #7BurruchagaAM / RM / RW85
- #10MaradonaAM / LW / ST99
- #12EnriqueDM / CM / RM76
- #14GiustiDM / CM / RM80
- #20TapiaCM / LM / AM72
- #21TrobbianiDM / CM / AM / RM71
Forwards
- #1AlmirónST / RW70
- #11ValdanoST / LW85
- #17PasculliST / RW76
Legend markers in 7a0
Featured legends
Maradona
Argentina 1986 FAQ
Who was in Argentina's 1986 World Cup squad?
The 22-player squad included Diego Maradona, Jorge Valdano, Jorge Burruchaga, Nery Pumpido, Oscar Ruggeri, José Luis Brown, Sergio Batista, Héctor Enrique and other players selected by Carlos Bilardo.
Who started for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup final?
The starting XI was Nery Pumpido; José Luis Cuciuffo, José Luis Brown and Oscar Ruggeri; Ricardo Giusti, Sergio Batista, Héctor Enrique and Julio Olarticoechea; Jorge Burruchaga, Diego Maradona and Jorge Valdano.
How many goals did Maradona score at the 1986 World Cup?
Maradona scored five goals and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player.
Did Argentina lose any match in 1986?
No. Argentina won six matches and drew once, against Italy in the group stage.
What formation did Argentina use in 1986?
Carlos Bilardo commonly used a flexible three-defender structure often described as 3-5-2, with Maradona given freedom behind Valdano and supporting runners.