On Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Lionel Messi and Co pulled off a heist to sneak into the round of 16, after a thrilling 2-1 win over Nigeria. Messi scored the opening goal and Marcos Rojo scored a winner in the 86th minute, sandwiched between a Victor Moses penalty for Nigeria.
Where the Argentina football team were the main show, the sideshow was just as entertaining. Well, some might even think it was more entertaining.
Diego Maradona has probably never been called a sideshow but his antics during the game were a source of constant amusement during the game. If they had a Maradona cam that one could subscribe to, it would be overbooked.
It started with him unveiling a banner with... wait for it... his own portrait. He then danced with fans, he needed people to stop him from jumping off the balcony, he prayed to the gods and finally, he gave the finger salute after Rojo scored the eventual winner for Argentina.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the madness and make sure you keep an eye on him in the next game too.
It started even before kickoff...
Maradona dancing with a random fan as the teams warm up here: pic.twitter.com/gTujhs0TjX
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) June 26, 2018
The man came up with the most unique of celebrations for the first goal.
MESSI FC FELT THAT pic.twitter.com/DQv9kftOzb
— nums (@Samessii) June 26, 2018
You can't take Maradona anywhere in public😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 #ARG #NGA #WorldCup
— Maps Maponyane (@MapsMaponyane) June 26, 2018
The story of the game was supposed to be Messi but Maradona finds a way to upstage him. Best part about that picture? The guy holding him. Hilarious. pic.twitter.com/UOqL9xetvf
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) June 26, 2018
And when it got all too much to take, he decided to take a mid-game nap.
Mid-game nap #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/f6K95G57OH
— illusigram (@illusigram) June 26, 2018
Maradona update:
— Coral (@Coral) June 26, 2018
He's now asleep #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/aHCgPQ0r4X
And when, Rojo scored the winner at the death... boy, El Diego went a bit nuts.
Maradona leaving the game tonight #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ytM4sSuKZj
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) June 26, 2018
Who wants to subscribe to the Diego Maradona channel because I do. pic.twitter.com/291d3RiqgW
— Miriti Murungi (@NutmegRadio) June 26, 2018
Maradona: positive.
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) June 26, 2018
In every sense.
When someone says they're not interested in the #WorldCup #RingerFC pic.twitter.com/TXNAD4buCU
— The Ringer (@ringer) June 26, 2018
Diego Maradona enjoyed that one. 😂 #ARG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/v9xrQLuk59
— Krowd9 | 2018 World Cup 🏆 (@Krowd9) June 26, 2018
When someone says how did USA not make it to the World Cup, but Saudi Arabia did. pic.twitter.com/mkSg5XCvmp
— Clive 🇦🇺 (@vanillawallah) June 26, 2018
Some got serious though...
This is disgrace to this beautiful football and its fans. Maradona must be a class footballer in past but his actions are not worthy of calling him legend. You'll never find something like this from likes of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo ever in your life. #nigarg #worldcup pic.twitter.com/7BSLOaOZFJ
— KroosT8 (@KroosT8) June 26, 2018
Surely it’s time to STOP showing Maradona so much during #WorldCup games. FIFA control the pictures we see on TV - the #Argentina legend is becoming a comical figure. pic.twitter.com/IaQdwd9wIQ
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) June 26, 2018
Diego Maradona must have misplaced his brain somewhere.#NGAARG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YQ9j5zV2sl
— Victor Mochere (@VictorMochere) June 26, 2018
All in all, it was The Diego Maradona Show, thank you for coming.
Argentina's next game I want one camera 90 min long only focused on Maradona.. I will pay extra for that, don't care. #WorldCup
— Luc (@DailyRender) June 26, 2018
On another note .... Maradona was definitely my man of the match by a long shot 😂 #ARG #WorldCup
— Alexis Nunes (@alexisenunes) June 26, 2018
Internet is too fast #WorldCup #Maradona 😥😥😥 pic.twitter.com/BAUwiJTkoP
— NeoNong (@NeoNong5) June 26, 2018
Watching Maradona's reactions was just as entertaining as the game itself.#NGAARG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/du2utPkNmd
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 26, 2018
diego maradona showcasing the only three moods worth having pic.twitter.com/5l5EGxSSMx
— samreen (@_whatsinaname) June 26, 2018
Uff this Maradona adds so much stress. Love the Nigerian team but have to have Argentina in the play offs. My Phews continue…
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 26, 2018
When the maid switches off fan in the morning pic.twitter.com/yvCENEa2yR
— Lumos (@LiquoriceWand) June 26, 2018
👀 Diego Maradona insulting an entire nation with his hands
— TheSportsman Transfers (@TSMTransfers) June 26, 2018
We've seen that before#ARG#WorldCup#NGAARG pic.twitter.com/nPtWrOafnQ