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Beyond the Hand of God lies a deeper story
The Match premiered at Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday 13 May, 2026
Watch the trailer here: LINK
London, UK: May 19th 2026: 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."
The Match had it’s World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival on May 13th as part of the Cannes Premiere section:
“An Exciting, Accessible Documentary About Soccer and War” – Variety
From directors Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco, and narrated by Gary Lineker and Jorge Valdano, 'The Match' tells the story of the iconic 1986 World Cup clash between Argentina and England at the Azteca Stadium. Using rare archival footage, including Maradona’s controversial “Hand of God”, the film reconstructs the match as a living memory, and as the culmination of more than two hundred years of tension, encounters, and conflict between the two nations.
The Match will release exclusively in cinemas.
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