Soccer-Maradona memories linger as Argentina face Austria at World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Argentina v Austria - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. - June 22, 2026 General view of Argentina fans with a drum featuring a picture of Diego Maradona inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June ⁠22 (Reuters) - Argentina fans, players and coaching staff kept Diego Maradona close to their ⁠hearts on Monday as the reigning world champions prepared to face Austria in ‌their second World Cup Group J match in Dallas, with the late icon's presence as vivid as ever.

Monday marks 40 years since Maradona's defining performance in Argentina's 2-1 win over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals at ​Mexico City's Azteca Stadium.