Goal gem. The goal that Cape Verde striker Sidny Lopes Cabral scored against Argentina in the round of 16, which meant a momentary 2-2 draw for his team, which was ultimately eliminated, was chosen as the best of the recent World Cup 2026according to FIFA.
It was in the 103rd minute of the game, already in extra time, after tying at one in regulation time. Lisandro Martínez had put Argentina ahead again, but Lopes Cabral restored equality on the scoreboard just ten minutes later with a right-footed shot from the left corner of the area.
The defender, born in the Netherlands in 2002 and who signed last June for the Turkish Trabzonspor from Benfica, left the Argentine Alexis Mac Allister behind with a cut, entered the area and, practically on its side line, placed the ball in the opponent’s corner.
“As soon as I overtook my rival, I saw a gap and thought: ‘Let’s try it.’ I have a good shot with both legs. I saw the space and aimed at the squad. I looked for that spot and hit a great shot. When I looked up and saw the ball going into the corner, I thought, ‘What did I just do?’ “I couldn’t believe it,” the player acknowledged, speaking to FIFA.
«I looked at my companions and they were all shouting, with their hands on their heads, overjoyed. I started running without thinking. Then I realized that I had just scored a spectacular goal in a World Cup. Everyone dreams of scoring in a World Cup, but doing it this way, in a setting like this and against an opponent of such a level, was incredible. “I was really happy,” he continued.
Later, however, his teammate Diney scored an own goal in the 111th minute, so Cape Verde was eliminated and Argentina moved on to the Round of 16.
In addition, Lopes Cabral revealed that former Real Madrid and Brazil national team player Marcelo congratulated him personally.
«After the game I received a message from Marcelo. He is one of my biggest idols. He is a left back, dominates both legs and has extraordinary technique. He told me that he had voted my goal the best of the tournament! All I could think was: ‘I can’t believe this!'” he said.
The podium of the best goals of the World Cup was completed by the goal of Eldor Shomurodov, from Uzbekistan, against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in second place, and that of Wilson Isidor, from Haiti, against Morocco, in third place. Both were achieved in the group stage.
