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Cape Verde forward Sidney Lopes Cabral’s stunning curling strike against Argentina has been voted the best goal of the FIFA World Cup.
Cabral’s spectacular left-footed effort from the edge of the area into the top corner of the Argentine net was one of the tournament’s standout moments and has now been recognised as the competition’s finest goal.
The memorable strike came in extra time during Cape Verde’s thrilling last-32 clash with defending champions Argentina in Miami Gardens, levelling the score at 2-2. Despite the dramatic equaliser, Cape Verde eventually bowed out after a 3-2 defeat.
The goal was selected as the best among the tournament’s 308 goals, beating Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov’s deft lob against Congo and Haiti’s Wilson Isidor’s powerful strike against Morocco.
FIFA shortlisted 12 goals for the fan vote, which concluded on Monday.
Cabral’s celebration also became one of the World Cup’s most memorable moments. Instead of celebrating with teammates, he ran into the stands to embrace his girlfriend before searching for his mother.
“Before the match, I told my mother and my girlfriend that if I scored, I would run straight to them,” Cabral said.
“When I reached them, I saw my mother crying. She didn’t even realise I was standing right in front of her. After I scored, she fainted, and everyone was trying to help her.”
Cape Verde, making an impressive World Cup debut, won widespread praise for challenging two of the tournament’s finalists. They opened their campaign by holding eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw, thanks largely to an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Vozinha.