2026 FIFA World Cup: Cape Verde Sidny Lopes Cabral’s Stunning Equaliser Against Argentina Is The Goal Of The Tournament (watch)

The look on Sidny Lopes Cabral’s face said it all. When the clock reached the 102nd minute in extra time against Argentina, the left-back knew he had produced something extraordinary. 

Cutting inside Alexis Mac Allister before curling a perfectly placed right-footed strike into the top corner beyond Emiliano Martínez, Cabral levelled the score at 2-2 and gave Cabo Verde supporters emotions they had never imagined they would experience against the FIFA World Cup defending champions.

“It was simply surreal,” he told FIFA.

The beautifully-crafted move piled the pressure on Argentina, but Lionel Messi and his team-mates eventually came out on top after a deflected Cristian Romero header restored their lead eight minutes later. Even so, Cabral’s stunning strike secured its place in FIFA World Cup history, earning him the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award after seeing off 11 other nominees in the fans’ vote.

“It’s an enormous honour and the kind of recognition every player dreams of. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who voted my goal as the best of the tournament,” said the Trabzonspor defender.

“Now the challenge is to keep working to score more goals like that and, above all, to help both my club and country to win matches. Receiving this award is a very special honour for me.”

At just 23 years of age, Cabral has plenty of time ahead of him to continue shining for Cabo Verde. And while the finish against Argentina was spectacular, it was not entirely without precedent. 

“It was the second time I’d scored a goal like that. Funnily enough, just a few minutes earlier I’d had a very similar opportunity from a set-piece in almost the same area of the pitch. So it wasn’t completely new to me. But scoring a goal of that quality on a stage like the World Cup makes it even more special. It’s a moment that will stay with me forever.”