Mexico 1986
Mexico hosted the World Cup for the second time in 1986, stepping in after Colombia withdrew due to economic difficulties and doing so just months after the devastating 1985 earthquake that killed thousands in Mexico City. The nation rallied around its team. Hugo Sánchez, one of the finest strikers in the world, led the attack alongside Manuel Negrete, whose spectacular scissor-kick against Bulgaria was voted the tournament's best goal. Mexico topped their group and beat Bulgaria 2-0 in the round of 16, but the quarter-final against West Germany ended in a penalty shootout defeat after a 0-0 draw the heartbreak of the hosts. Mexico's 1986 World Cup was a triumph of resilience: a country recovering from tragedy hosted one of the greatest tournaments in history the World Cup of Maradona.