Cape Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral has been awarded the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament at the FIFA World Cup 2026 for his spectacular strike against Argentina.
The 23-year-old’s curling effort into the top corner during the Round of 32 clash in Miami, which levelled the score at 2-2, was voted the competition’s best goal by fans. It finished ahead of efforts by Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti’s Wilson Isidor.
Cape Verde eventually lost 3-2 after extra time to eventual finalists Argentina. Lopes Cabral joins previous winners including Maxi Rodriguez, Diego Forlan, James Rodriguez, Benjamin Pavard and Richarlison.
Reflecting on the moment, he said: “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.”
“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,” Lopes Cabral added. “Everybody dreams of just scoring in the World Cup, but to score in this way, at such a big stage against such a big team, was amazing.”
The goal prompted emotional scenes, with his mother Teresa fainting in the stands. He later received a congratulatory message from former Brazil star Marcelo, who told him he had voted for the strike as the tournament’s best.
Lopes Cabral’s rise has been rapid. Three years earlier he was playing in Germany’s fifth division.
