GEORGE HAMILTON has revealed what he views as the greatest game he has commentated on over his illustrious career.
The 71-year-old appeared on Off the Ball alongside fellow broadcasting legends Barry Davies and Jon Champion to discuss the art of football commentary.
Over the course of a fascinating chat, the Belfast native was asked what was the greatest game he ever worked.
He responded: “France-Brazil in the 1986 World Cup. It was just so sensational.
“The detail maybe is not etched in my mind anymore but the occasion was such.
“It was Brazil. Zico came on as a sub and did remarkably and France were outstanding as well.
“It was just one of those matches were everything sang in tune and it was a great day out as a spectator.
“Because the match had everything: drama, twists, turns, the whole rest.”
CLASSIC CLASH
The clash between the two footballing giants took place at the quarter-final stage in front of over 65,000 fans at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara.
Both sides featured legendary figures like Platini, Luis Fernandez and Jean Tigana for Les Bleus while Socrates and Careca were two of Brazil’s big names with an ageing Zico coming off the bench to join them in the 72nd minute.
Brazil opened the scoring in the 17th minute through a beautiful move involving several one-twos before Careca swept the ball high into the net from the edge of the box.
Platini equalised for the reigning European champions after a cross fell his way at the far post in the 41st minute.
HEAT OF THE MOMENT
Despite being played in soaring temperatures, the game remained highly entertaining throughout the second half with Brazil winning a penalty after a defence-splitting pass from the other iconic no. 10 on the pitch Zico.
However, the veteran playmaker saw his penalty saved which was particularly ironic because his teammates had celebrated the awarding of the penalty like it was a goal.
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The game eventually went to penalties with Zico redeeming himself somewhat although Socrates and Julio Cesar missed leaving Yannick Stopyra to step up and be the hero for France as his strike sent them through to the semi-finals.
That was to be as far as they got though as they fell 2-0 to West Germany who then lost the final to Maradona’s Argentina.
You can watch highlights from the match here.