This week, we're turning one of the most famous moments in sporting history into a classroom discussion about ethics, fairness and perspective, before packing our bags for an audio adventure through the breathtaking mountains, jungles and cultures of Nepal. Then, to finish on a high, friend of the podcast Andy Griffiths reminds us why imagination isn't just fun... it's one of the most powerful tools a child can have. As always, we've got plenty of ideas to spark curiosity, conversation and a few smiles along the way.

Because this isn't really a story about football.

It's a story that starts with football... but quickly becomes a lesson in history, ethics, media, war, perspective and one very big question:

Can something that's undeniably wrong... also become legendary?

Today marks the 40th anniversary of a World Cup match that packed more drama into four minutes than most tournaments manage in four weeks. On June 22, 1986, Argentina's Diego Maradona scored two goals against England.

The first became known as the ‘Hand of God.’

The second became known as the ‘Goal of the Century.’

They were scored just four minutes apart.

The match itself was already carrying enormous emotional weight before a ball had even been kicked.

Just four years earlier, in 1982, Britain and Argentina had fought the Falklands War (known in Argentina as the Malvinas War) over a group of islands in the South Atlantic. The conflict lasted just 74 days, but around 900 people lost their lives, including 649 Argentinians and 255 British servicemen.

Although the war was over, the emotions certainly weren't. So when England and Argentina met in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, it felt like much more than a game of football. For many supporters on both sides, it was a chance to restore pride.

Leading Argentina onto the field was their brilliant captain, Diego Maradona. Already considered one of the greatest footballers of his generation, Maradona could do things with a football that seemed almost impossible. Quick, fearless and astonishingly skilful, he had the kind of talent that made defenders look like they were standing still.

What happened next would make him one of the most famous sportspeople in history... but maybe not for the reason you'd expect.

The moment that would be talked about for decades, came early in the second half when the ball looped high into England's penalty area. Maradona raced towards it alongside England's towering goalkeeper, Peter Shilton.

Shilton was nearly 20 centimetres taller than Maradona, so heading the ball seemed almost impossible. Instead, Maradona stretched up his arm and punched the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.

The referee didn't see the handball.

Neither did the linesman.

The goal was awarded.

England's players protested furiously, but in 1986, there was no VAR to check the decision. Once the referee pointed to the centre circle, the goal stood.

After the match, Maradona famously joked that the goal had been scored "a little with the head of Maradona... and a little with the hand of God." The nickname stuck, and today, it's remembered as ‘The Hand of God’. For many football fans around the world, it was one of the clearest examples of cheating ever seen on a sporting field.

And then, just four minutes later, the same player who had fooled the referee, produced a goal so brilliant it has been replayed millions of times… Picking up the ball inside his own half, Maradona dribbled past five English players before slipping the ball into the net. It was a goal so extraordinary that FIFA later named it the ‘Goal of the Century.’ Argentina went on to win the match 2-1, and a week later lifted the World Cup trophy, with Maradona leading his country to victory.

Forty years later, those four unforgettable minutes are still being debated. And that's where your classroom comes in. This is one of those stories that doesn't have a single "correct" answer. Instead, it invites students to think, discuss and defend their opinions using evidence and empathy.

Tell this story to your students and watch the videos, then use these questions individually, as a think-pair-share activity, or as the basis for a classroom debate.

Choose one:

Pack your passports... this Tuesday, Squiz the World is taking students on an unforgettable audio adventure to Nepal, where the mighty Himalayas tower over villages, ancient traditions and everyday life.

Along the way, we'll discover why the world's tallest mountain is known by three different names, bust the myth that "Sherpa" means mountain guide, and join in festivals featuring giant bamboo swings and celebrations that honour dogs, cows and even crows.

We venture into the jungles in search of rhinos, elephants and Bengal tigers, and ask one of the Himalayas' biggest questions... could the legendary Yeti really exist?

If you've ever wondered where the wonderfully weird ideas behind The 13-Storey Treehouse or The Day My Bum Went Psycho come from, Australia's favourite funny man has shared a few clues.

In a recent interview with the Herald Sun (it's behind a paywall, unfortunately), award-winning children's author Andy Griffiths revealed that one of his favourite things is letting kids' imaginations run wild. Case in point? When a young friend asked why Andy has a skeleton tattoo on his wrist, Andy calmly explained that it was because he used to be... a pirate. The child believed every word, right down to asking whether he'd ever had to kill anyone. (Andy had an answer for that too!)

Behind the laughs, though, was a serious message. His philosophy?

It's a wonderful reminder that creativity isn't just about writing stories. It's about learning to think differently.

You can hear a Squiz Kids Q&A with Andy, here!

Andy has a brand-new book arriving on 28 July: YOU & ME AND THE GIGANTIC KNUCKLEHEAD, the latest adventure from Australia's Children's Laureate (2026-27).

Andy has generously joined us for several Squiz Kids Q&As over the years, and we're hoping he'll be back again to answer questions from curious kids around Australia.

So start thinking! If we can make it happen, we'll be asking students to send in their best, funniest and most imaginative questions.

Here’s what’s happening around the country and the world:

World Wellbeing Week June 24 – 30

Monday, June 22 - World Rainforest Day 
Tuesday, June 23 - International Women in Engineering Day
Wednesday, June 24 - Lionel Messi’s 39th Birthday
Thursday, June 25 - Global Beatles Day
Friday, June 26 - Ariana Grande’s 32nd Birthday
- Take Your Dog to Work Day
Saturday, June 27 - International Pineapple Day
Sunday, June 28 - CAPS LOCK DAY