The 1986 World Cup belongs to Maradona in most people's memory, but the hosts produced a gem of their own. Against Bulgaria, Manuel Negrete took a pass on the edge of the box, flicked the ball up with one touch and then struck a scissors kick volley past the Bulgarian goalkeeper. The Estadio Azteca, packed with 114,000 fans, erupted.
How Negrete built the goal
It started with a one-two with Javier Aguirre. When the ball came back, Negrete did not let it touch the ground for long. One flick to lift it, then the scissors kick, body in mid-air, and the volley flew past the keeper.
The execution was spotless. The setting was about as big as club or country football gets in Mexico City, with a home crowd of 114,000 roaring the team on. Mexico won the game 2-0 and moved on in their own tournament, and they did so in style.
Pictures of the goal still turn up whenever Mexican supporters talk about their team's best days. It is easy to see why. Scissors kicks are hard enough in training. Doing it in front of that many people, with a nation expecting results, is a different job altogether.
For many Mexicans it remains the finest moment their team has produced at a World Cup.
Tomorrow: number 26.
