The Match

Name: The Match
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2026-05-21
Rating: 6.9

When does a match start? When does it end?

Documentary1h 31m

6.9/10

6.9

TMDB

Storyline

Film reconstructs the historic match Argentina vs England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, famously remembered for the the hand of God goal by Maradona. Also exploring the sporting, political, and cultural dimensions of the encounter, in the background of the recent deadly Malvinas War between the two countries.

Trailers

Official Trailer

Details

Reviews

7 reviews · 6 critics

5 fresh · 1 rotten

Robert Daniels

RTRogerEbert.comJul 7, 2026

When it’s humming, which it often is, Cabral and Franco’s ode to soccer glory is as earthshaking as its absorbing subject.

Stephen Dalton

RTThe Times (UK)May 18, 2026

The healing, unifying power of sport may be a groaningly trite take-home message, but the film-makers work impressively hard to speak to something bigger than football here.

Jim Ross

RTTAKE ONE Magazine6 days ago

THE MATCH is a dynamic and bold look at Argentina v England in 1986, but the narrow focus starts to feel like fawning and incurious tunnel vision rather than dedicated analysis.

Tirso Vásquez

RTCinencuentroAug 11, 2026

The film intelligently builds its emotional power by exploring the constant reflection between how the English and Argentines have perceived their rivalry over time. [Full review in Spanish]