Sidny Lopes Cabral: Curling stunner wins FIFA Goal of Tournament. The Cape Verde midfielder claimed the prestigious honor for his remarkable curling strike into the top corner against Argentina during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sidny Lopes Cabral’s goal came in extra time of the Round of 32 match in Miami Gardens, leveling the score at 2-2 against the defending champions. Despite the effort, Argentina won 3-2. The 2026 tournament was Cape Verde’s first World Cup appearance, and they advanced from the group stage before exiting in the Round of 32.
Sidny Lopes Cabral’s goal was voted the best among 308 scored in the tournament. It topped Eldor Shomurodov’s lob for Uzbekistan against Congo and Wilson Isidor’s strike for Haiti against Morocco. FIFA shortlisted 12 goals for the public vote, which closed on Monday. The celebration also became iconic: after scoring, Sidny Lopes Cabral climbed into the stands to hug his girlfriend and search for his mother. “Before the game, I’d told my mom and my girlfriend that if I scored, I’d run over to them,” he said. “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.”
Cape Verde’s campaign began with a 0-0 draw against eventual champions Spain, with goalkeeper Vozinha playing a key role. The team’s debut World Cup run captured global attention, and Sidny Lopes Cabral’s stunning goal became its defining moment. The award highlights the rise of football in Cape Verde and the talent of its players on the world stage.
Sidny Lopes Cabral’s curling strike and heartfelt celebration will be remembered as one of the tournament’s most memorable highlights, cementing his place in World Cup history.