Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral scores World Cup's best goal against Argentina

The goal of the tournament at the recent World Cup was awarded to Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral for his stunning strike against Argentina. The forward's moment of brilliance came in the 103rd minute of extra time, after the match had ended 1-1 in regulation.

Lisandro Martínez had put Argentina back in front, but Lopes Cabral responded with a powerful right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area. Born in the Netherlands in 2002, the player, who recently joined Turkey's Trabzonspor from Benfica, left Argentinian defender Alexis Mac Allister behind with a skillful cut. He then entered the box and, from near the sideline, placed the ball into the top corner of the opposite net.

"As soon as I beat my man, I saw a gap and thought, 'Let's try it.' I have a good strike with both feet," Lopes Cabral told FIFA. "I saw the space and aimed for the top corner. I looked for that spot and connected with a great shot. When I looked up and saw the ball heading for the top corner, I thought, 'What have I just done?' I couldn't believe it."

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As soon as I beat my man, I saw a gap and thought, 'Let's try it.' I have a good strike with both feet. I saw the space and aimed for the top corner. I looked for that spot and connected with a great shot. When I looked up and saw the ball heading for the top corner, I thought, 'What have I just done?' I couldn't believe it.

He described the overwhelming joy of his teammates and the realization of scoring such a goal on the World Cup stage. However, the elation was short-lived as a late own goal by his teammate Diney in the 111th minute led to Cape Verde's elimination and Argentina's advancement.

Adding to the surreal experience, Lopes Cabral revealed that Brazilian football legend Marcelo, a former Real Madrid player, personally congratulated him. "After the match, I received a message from Marcelo. He is one of my biggest idols," Lopes Cabral said. "He told me he had voted for my goal as the best of the tournament! I could only think: 'I can't believe it!'" The podium for the best goals was completed by strikes from Eldor Shomurodov of Uzbekistan and Wilson Isidor of Haiti.

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After the match, I received a message from Marcelo. He is one of my biggest idols. He told me he had voted for my goal as the best of the tournament! I could only think: 'I can't believe it!'