World Cup | The World of Dictators | 4

What happens when a World Cup final is played a few hundred metres from a torture centre? How does a newly independent nation humiliate the champions of Europe — and still get knocked out by a fix in plain sight? And when a boy from the slums of Buenos Aires beat England with his fist, was it the cruellest cheat in football — or perfect revenge? Afua and Peter follow the World Cup through its darkest decade — Argentina's generals roaring at finals while prisoners vanish next door, Algeria's reckoning with Europe, and a kid called Maradona turning a single match into a settling of old scores.

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[0:00] A torture centre, a stadium, and the cheers that drowned out the screams
[4:20] The general who seized power two years before kick-off
[6:12] The final played within earshot of the 'death flights'
[13:50] An African side wins a World Cup match for the very first time
[15:40] Argentina need six goals against Peru — and somehow get them
[17:38] The Dutch players who refused to shake a dictator's hand
[20:35] Algeria stun West Germany, then watch Europe close ranks
[29:29] The Hand of God, and a goal that settled an old score

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Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas:
Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com
Join Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more.
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Stay connected with Legacy:
Instagram: @originallegacypodcast
TikTok: @legacy_productions

Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com
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