"El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), Diego Maradona led Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup, and scored two of the most of famous goals of all time against England, "The Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century".
In a week of international football which boasted drama, goals and even a brawl, John O’Shea’s stoppage-time leveller against Germany in his 100th appearance for the Republic of Ireland was a fitting finale.
The Sunderland centre-back, having defended resolutely for much of the encounter in Gelsenkirchen, expertly guided the ball beyond Manuel Neuer to salvage a 1-1 draw and heap more misery on the World Cup winners.
O’Shea was not the only player to enjoy a stellar Tuesday, with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging a last-minute winner against Denmark, Lionel Messi striking twice in Hong Kong and Neymar claiming four (yes, four) goals against Japan.
Ronaldo also celebrated reaching a 100 million fans on facebook.
Brazil and Argentina met in Beijing on Saturday for an international friendly with Dunga’s men beating the World Cup finalists 2-0.
Diego Tardelli was the surprise hero for the Selecao scoring twice, his first international goals, to seal victory at the Bird’s Nest Stadium.
Lionel Messi had a rare day to forget, at 1-0 down in the first half the Barcelona star had the chance to pull his side level but saw his penalty saved by Jefferson.
Germany is the new world champions after beating Argentina 1-0, after extra-time, in the World Cup final at the Maracana on Sunday.
Substitute Mario Gotze was the hero for Joachim Low’s side, scoring the winner after taking down a cross from Andre Schurrle and volleying it past Sergio Romero.
The win was a bitter blow for Argentina, and Lionel Messi, who failed to emulate Diego Maradona although the Barcelona star was awarded the Golden Ball for being the World Cup’s best player
Argentina will face Germany at the Maracana in the World Cup final on Sunday after edging out Netherlands on penalties in the second semi-final.
The teams could not be separated after 120 minutes, with the scores still 0-0, in a game that was far removed from Brazil’s 7-1 thrashing against Joachim Low’s side in the other semi-final.
Lionel Messi and Co. will now face Germany in a repeat of the 1990 World Cup final in Rome which the Germans won 1-0.
While Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Neymar have been lighting up the World Cup for Argentina and Brazil respectively, Cristiano Ronaldo has endured a frustrating tournament with Portugal.
The Real Madrid star has made just one notable contribution, a stoppage-time assist against USA, while Neymar and Messi have both leapt to the top of the goalscoring charts with four strikes each.
However, highlighting his enduring stardom, Ronaldo could overshadow his rivals' achievements merely by his latest trip to the barbers. The 29-year-old has gone for a dramatic new Mohawk hairstyle that could prove a welcome distraction from his nation's struggles.
It's over, it's finally over. Spain, reigning world and European champions have been dumped out of the World Cup thanks to a colossal performance from Chile.
Jorge Sampaoli's side, also nicknamed La Roja, scored twice in the first half in a frantic end-to-end game of football in Rio de Janeiro.
And for Vicente del Bosque's team it was very much a case of one tournament too far for a group of players who have defined an era. There will be casualties from this exit, not least if they fail to even take home the wooden spoon in their final game against Australia.
Lionel Messi began his World Cup campaign in fine style with a thrilling goal to secure a 2-1 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Argentina’s opening game in Brazil.
The South American side have not won the World Cup since 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired his country to victory in Mexico with Messi out to emulate the Argentina legend.
Of course the 1986 tournament is famously remembered for Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England which was followed by a superb, individual second goal as Argentina won 2-1 on their way to being crowned world champions.
Get animated by watching the heroes, villains and highlights of previous tournaments as you have never seen them before. Eight episodes on World Cup greatest nations. The videos are available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese and Arabic.
GoalToons: Brazil
GoalToons: Italy
GoalToons: Germany
GoalToons: Argentina
GoalToons: England
GoalToons: France
GoalToons: Spain
GoalToons: Netherlands
GoalToons credits:
Animation Director: Omar Momani
Animation: Sameer Aburezeq
Animation Assitant: Bassem Nabil
Narration on Germany, England and Netherlands: Mike V. Derderian
With the dust having settled on most nation's World Cup warm-up friendlies, attentions can now be turned to the main event with the World Cup just four days away.
England concluded their preparations in a feisty encounter against Honduras and can next be seen taking on Italy in Manaus on Saturday, while hosts Brazil kick off the tournament on Thusday.
The Three Lions flew from Miami to Rio de Janeiro straight after their 0-0 draw, while plenty of other sides, including the likes of Germany, have finally touched down in Brazil.
Having already watched Cristiano Ronaldo pick up the Ballon d'Or this year, as well as Copa del Rey and Champions League winners' medals, now Lionel Messi has yet another reason to envy the Real Madrid attacker.
The former Manchester United winger has over 82 million Facebook likes, 26m Twitter followers and is "an endorser's dream", all of which means Messi must settle for second place behind Ronaldo - and not for the first time this season!
Daniele De Rossi is well known for his fearless leadership in the Roma and Italy midfields and insists not even the prospect of facing two "monsters" at the World Cup will keep him up at night.
Javier Zanetti has confirmed he will call time on his 22-year career at the end of the season.
The 40-year-old will bow out at Inter having won Serie A five times, the Coppa Italia on four occasions, and the Champions League once.
"I feel that now is the right time to do it," he told LaNacion.
"Football has given me so much, and I have enjoyed every moment. Because after the achilles injury last April, I wanted to demonstrate that I could return and be competitive, but I could not.
"I feel complete and have realized that to retire at 40 is a priceless feeling. For me it is something that has immense value and now is the right time. Do I fear life after this? No, there is no fear."