Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral wins World Cup 2026 goal of tournament award

Cape Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral has earned the prestigious Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award for the FIFA World Cup 2026. His stunning goal against Argentina during the Round of 32 match in Miami Gardens, Florida, was voted the competition's best.

Lopes Cabral's remarkable goal came during Cape Verde's dramatic 3-2 extra-time loss to the eventual finalists, Argentina. He skillfully weaved past Alexis Mac Allister before curling a brilliant shot into the top corner, leveling the score at 2-2. This spectacular effort secured the 23-year-old international player the individual honor, surpassing Uzbekistan's Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti's Wilson Isidor, who finished second and third respectively in the fan vote.

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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.

Reflecting on the unforgettable moment, Lopes Cabral described the sequence: "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 further expressed his disbelief and elation: "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 team-mates – everyone was screaming, hands on their heads, overjoyed."

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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 team-mates – everyone was screaming, hands on their heads, overjoyed.

The goal not only sparked intense celebrations on the pitch but also in the stands, where his mother, Teresa, fainted upon witnessing the strike. Lopes Cabral shared, "Before the game, I’d told my mom and my girlfriend that if I scored, I’d run over to them. When I got there, I saw my mom crying; she hadn’t even realized I was right there."

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Before the game, I’d told my mom and my girlfriend that if I scored, I’d run over to them. When I got there, I saw my mom crying; she hadn’t even realized I was right there.

Adding to the memorable experience, Lopes Cabral revealed he received a congratulatory message from his idol, former Brazil and Real Madrid star Marcelo. "After the game, I got a message from Marcelo," he said. "He’s one of my biggest idols. He told me he voted for my goal as the best of the tournament! I replied, ‘Thank you so much! I don’t know how to thank you. I’m so excited and honoured that you saw me play.’ And he said, ‘It was a pleasure watching you play; you’re really good.’ I was just like, ‘My word!’ I couldn’t believe it when I got his message."

Lopes Cabral's journey has been extraordinary, having played in Germany's fifth division just three years prior while living in modest circumstances.

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After the game, I got a message from Marcelo. He’s one of my biggest idols. He told me he voted for my goal as the best of the tournament! I replied, ‘Thank you so much! I don’t know how to thank you. I’m so excited and honoured that you saw me play.’ And he said, ‘It was a pleasure watching you play; you’re really good.’ I was just like, ‘My word!’ I couldn’t believe it when I got his message.