Lopes Cabral stunner for Cape Verde voted best World Cup goal

Cabo Verde player Sidny Lopes Cabral's curling strike against Argentina in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was voted Goal of the Tournament, FIFA announced on Monday.

The African side forced extra time after the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Lisandro Martinez restored the lead for the 2022 World Cup champion before Lopes Cabral equalized in spectacular fashion.

In the 103rd minute, the Cabo Verde left-back collected the ball on the left, cut inside Alexis Mac Allister and curled a perfectly placed right-footed shot into the top corner beyond Emiliano Martinez.

"It was simply surreal," Lopes Cabral told FIFA. "It's an enormous honor and the kind of recognition every player dreams of. I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who voted my goal as the best of the tournament."

"Now the challenge is to keep working to score more goals like that and, above all, to help both my club and country to win matches. Receiving this award is a very special honor for me."

Argentina eventually won the thriller through a deflected header from Cristian Romero.

Goals from Uzbekistan's Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti's Wilson Isidor finished second and third, respectively. Lopes Cabral joined Maxi Rodriguez, Diego Forlan, James Rodriguez, Benjamin Pavard and Richarlison as a winner of the award.