Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWorld Cup 2026 featured 308 goals across 104 matches - and one stunning strike has been voted the best of the lot.Cape Verde left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral's sensational curling effort in the last 32 against Argentina provided one of the lasting images of a memorable debut World Cup for the islanders, and it has now been crowned FIFA's Goal of the Tournament.Although the extra-time strike ultimately proved in vain as the then-holders eventually triumphed 3-2 in Miami, it is fitting that Lopes Cabral bagged the award after Cape Verde became many neutrals' second team during the finals.Cape Verde left-back wins World Cup Goal of the TournamentDespite qualifying from Group H with three draws - including a stalemate with eventual champions Spain - Cape Verde were given little chance against the 2022 winners in the last 32.But Deroy Duarte's second-half equaliser took the tie to extra-time, and while Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead early in the additional period, the Blue Sharks were not done yet. You may like Cape Verde exits World Cup with head high after sensational goal pushes Argentina to the brink Ranked! The 15 greatest World Cup goals youve probably forgotten How to watch World Cup 2026: FREE live streams, groups, next matches In the 103rd minute, Lopes Cabral received possession wide on the left, cut inside Alexis Mac Allister and bent an unstoppable shot past Emi Martinez into the top corner - before producing an equally iconic celebration in which he climbed into the stands and hugged his girlfriend.The 23-year-old, who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, revealed afterwards that he had also hoped to celebrate with his mum, only to learn that she had fainted when he scored.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Lopes Cabral's strike was voted the best of a 12-strong shortlist drawn up by FIFA, with fans able to pick their favourite - and the goals that finished second and third may also surprise you.Uzbekistan forward Eldor Shomurodov's pinpoint lob in a 3-1 defeat against DR Congo was runner-up in the voting - one of just two goals scored by the World Cup debutants at the tournament.Haiti also scored only twice at the finals but finished on the podium, thanks to Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor's thunderbolt in the 4-2 defeat by Morocco.That unlikely trio proved more popular than goals by some of the World Cup's biggest stars, including France captain Kylian Mbappe's second against Senegal and Lionel Messi's opener for Argentina on the way to beating Algeria.Jude Bellingham's solo strike to seal victory over France in the third-place play-off was also shortlisted, as was Erling Haaland's second goal for Norway against Brazil in the last 16.FIFA first awarded the Goal of the Tournament prize in 2006, with memorable winners including James Rodriguez's volley for Colombia against Uruguay in 2014 and France full-back Benjamin Pavard's delicious effort in their win over Argentina four years later.TOPICSCape Verde IslandsWorld Cup 2026World CupJames RobertsFreelance writerJames Roberts is a freelance sports journalist working for FourFourTwo and other titles. He started his career at the Oxford Mail, where he covered Oxford United home and away, before becoming a sports sub-editor for various national newspapers.
