Cape Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral has won the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award at the FIFA World Cup 2026 for his stunning strike against Argentina in the Round of 32.
The 23-year-old curled the ball into the top corner after beating Alexis Mac Allister, making it 2-2 in Cape Verde’s 3-2 extra-time loss to eventual finalists Argentina in Miami.
Lopes Cabral finished ahead of Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti’s Wilson Isidor in the fan vote. He succeeds Maxi Rodriguez, Diego Forlan, James Rodriguez, Benjamin Pavard and Richarlison as winner.
“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. I looked at my team-mates – everyone was screaming, hands on their heads, overjoyed.
“I started running without thinking. Then it hit me that I’d scored a spectacular goal in the World Cup. 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. I was really happy.”
His mother, Teresa, fainted after seeing the goal.
“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. Everyone was busy tending to her because she had fainted when I scored!”
The defender also got a message from former Brazil and Real Madrid star Marcelo, one of his idols.
“After the game, I got a message from Marcelo,”
“He’s one of my biggest idols. I always admired him. He’s a left-back, plays with both feet, and had great technique.
“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.”
Three years ago, Lopes Cabral was playing in Germany’s fifth division in modest conditions. Before facing Argentina, he hoped for photos with Lionel Messi.
“I hope I get some pictures standing next to Messi,”
He left with the World Cup’s Goal of the Tournament award instead.
