Historic Match
In the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, Diego Maradona scored two of the tournament’s most iconic goals. The first, known as the “Hand of God,” saw him punch the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton in the second half. Four minutes later, Maradona produced a dazzling solo run from his own half, beating several defenders before curling a goal into the net. England’s Gary Lineker added a late consolation, but Argentina won 2-1 and went on to lift the trophy after a 3-2 victory over West Germany in the final.
The Ball’s Journey
The match ball used in that historic clash was an Adidas Azteca. Referee Ali Bin Nasser, from Tunisia, removed the ball from the field after the game and kept it for more than 35 years. In 2020, the ball was sold for $2.37 million (£1.74 million) to a private collector. The auction house confirmed that independent authentication verified the ball as the one used during the second half when the two historic goals were scored.
Auction Outcome
Heritage Auctions in the United States listed the ball for sale in 2026. The auction attracted significant attention, with expectations that the ball could fetch close to $10 million (£7.3 million). Ultimately, the ball sold for $3.3 million (£2.5 million). The sale marked a rare moment when a piece of football history entered the market, providing fans and collectors a tangible link to one of the sport’s most controversial moments.
