The Match

The Match revisits the iconic 1986 World Cup clash between Argentina and England at the Azteca Stadium, weaving rare archival footage, including Maradona's "Hand of God", into a powerful reconstruction of the event. Beyond the pitch, the film traces over two centuries of conflict between the two nations, from early encounters to The Falklands/Malvinas War, reframing the game as both a sporting milestone and the echo of a deeper historical rivalry, where the beauty of football meets the absurdity of war.

Cannes Film Festival 2026 – Cannes Première, World Premiere
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2026

Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco are an Argentine filmmaking duo whose work explores the intersection of sport, collective memory and history. Cabral's previous feature is Two/One (2019), while Franco directed the short film Bad Yogi (2018). The Match marks their first feature-length collaboration.

Bad Yogi (2018) – Santiago Franco – short film
Two/One (2019) – Juan Cabral

Original title: El partido
Directors: Juan Cabral, Santiago Franco
Cast: Gary Lineker, Jorge Valdano, John Barnes, Jorge Burruchaga, Ricardo Giusti, Julio Olarticoechea, Oscar Ruggeri, Peter Shilton
Cinematography: Pablo García Gallego
Screenwriter: Andrés Burgo, Juan Cabral, Santiago Franco
Producers: Flora Fernández-Marengo, Matías Reynal, Juan Pablo Sorín, Sol Alac, MJZ, Fernanda Pérez, Jonathan Monroig, Julieta Fernández Castagnino, Lisandro Ramos, Juan Saravia, Felipe Yaryura, Eyddos Sol
Editors: Lucas Coppolecchia, Sebastián Fasanelli, Juan Pablo Scaglione, Mauro Caporossi
Music: Nicolás Barry, Tomás Jacobi
Production Designer: Verónica Geraige
Sound: Julián Fernández Arizzi, Diego Gringas, Rodrigo Madrigal
Hungarian Distributor: -
Colour: colour
Run Time: 91 mins