The legendary match ball with which former Argentina national team star Diego Maradona scored his "Hand of God" goal against England at the 1986 World Cup has been sold at an auction in the United States for $3.3 million.

Operativ Media reports that during the sale organized by US-based Heritage Auctions, the owners had expected the final price to reach roughly $10 million, but the outcome fell short of expectations.

Argentina won the fixture 2-1, with Maradona scoring twice, although one of the goals was illegally struck with his hand. Despite this, the referee counted the goal.

For more than three decades, the ball was in the possession of Ali Bin Nasser, the referee of the 1986 World Cup match between Argentina and England. In 2022, the referee sold the prized piece of sports memorabilia to another buyer for $2.3 million.