Cape Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral has been crowned the winner of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Goal of the Tournament award after fans voted his spectacular strike against Argentina as the competition’s finest goal, Trybal News reports.
The 23-year-old earned the prestigious honour for his stunning extra-time equaliser during Cape Verde’s thrilling Round of 32 encounter with defending champions Argentina in Miami. Despite Cape Verde suffering a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat after extra time, Lopes Cabral’s moment of brilliance became one of the defining highlights of the tournament.
With Cape Verde trailing, the defender surged forward, glided past Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner to level the contest at 2-2, leaving fans and pundits around the world in awe.
FIFA confirmed that the strike received the highest number of votes in the global fan poll, having already emerged as the standout goal of the Round of 32 before going on to claim the overall award. Lopes Cabral finished ahead of Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti’s Wilson Isidor to secure one of world football’s most coveted individual honours.
The accolade also ensures Cape Verde depart their maiden FIFA World Cup with a lasting piece of history, as Lopes Cabral’s unforgettable effort joins the list of the tournament’s most iconic goals.
From Fifth-Tier Football to World Cup Immortality
The award places the Cape Verde international alongside previous winners including Maxi Rodríguez, Diego Forlán, James Rodríguez, Benjamin Pavard and Richarlison, whose spectacular strikes have become enduring moments in World Cup history.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Lopes Cabral admitted he never expected his effort would be remembered as the tournament’s greatest goal.
The moment I dribbled past my opponent, I saw an opening and thought, ‘Let’s have a go.’ I shoot well with both feet. I saw the space and was eyeing the top corner. I aimed there and struck the ball really well,” he said.
The defender recalled his disbelief as the ball found the top corner.
When I looked up and saw it heading for that top corner, I thought, ‘What the hell did I just do?’ I couldn’t believe it. I looked at my teammates, everyone was screaming, hands on their heads, overjoyed.”
He added that scoring such a goal against one of football’s biggest nations on the sport’s grandest stage was a dream come true.
Everybody dreams of scoring in the World Cup, but to score in this way, against such a big team on such a big stage, was incredible. It is one of the proudest moments of my career.”
Only three years ago, Lopes Cabral was playing in Germany’s fifth division while dreaming of reaching football’s biggest stage. His remarkable rise has now become one of the most inspiring stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Emotional Family Moment and Praise from Marcelo
The goal sparked emotional scenes in the stands, where members of his family watched history unfold. Lopes Cabral revealed his mother, Teresa, was so overwhelmed after the goal that she fainted before he reached the stands to celebrate.
When I got there, I saw my mom crying; she hadn’t even realised I was right there. Everyone was tending to her because she had fainted when I scored,” he revealed.
Adding to the memorable occasion, former Brazil and Real Madrid star Marcelo personally congratulated the Cape Verde defender, revealing he had voted for the strike as the tournament’s best goal. Lopes Cabral described the message from one of his childhood idols as one of the greatest compliments he has ever received.
Although Cape Verde’s historic World Cup debut ended before the quarter-finals, Lopes Cabral leaves the tournament with a place in football history, his sensational strike now officially recognised as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Goal of the Tournament.
