(AP) — Cape Verde made more World Cup history on Monday when Sidny Lopes Cabral won the public vote for goal of the tournament.Lopes Cabral’s curling shot into the far top corner of the Argentina net was a standout moment at the World Cup where the unheralded African team made a stellar debut.His goal tied defending champion Argentina at 2-2 in extra time of their thrilling round of 32 game in Miami Gardens. Cape Verde would eventually lose 3-2.Lopes Cabral’s goal was voted best of the 308 goals scored at the tournament, ahead of Eldor Shomurodov's delicate lob for Uzbekistan against Congo and Wilson Isidor of Haiti scoring with a powerful rising shot against Morocco.FIFA drew up a shortlist of 12 goals for public voting that closed Monday.Lopes Cabral’s celebration also entered World Cup lore as he broke free of teammates reaching to grab him before climbing into the tribune to hug his girlfriend and look 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 defied both World Cup finalists in its four games, after goalkeeper Vozinha’s standout display saw his team open with a 0-0 draw to stun eventual champion Spain.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and AP World Cup coverage Cape Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral has been named the winner of the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after his stunning strike against Argentina in the Round of 32 was voted the competition’s best goal.
Lopes Cabral’s spectacular effort came during Cape Verde’s dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to eventual finalists Argentina in Miami, where he curled a brilliant shot into the top corner after weaving past Alexis Mac Allister to level the match at 2-2. The goal earned the 23-year-old the prestigious individual honour, finishing ahead of Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti’s Wilson Isidor, who placed second and third respectively in the fan vote. The Cape Verde international succeeds former winners Maxi Rodriguez, Diego Forlan, James Rodriguez, Benjamin Pavard and Richarlison as recipient of the award.
Reflecting on the unforgettable moment, Lopes Cabral said: “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.” The goal sparked emotional celebrations, not only on the pitch but also in the stands, where his mother, Teresa, fainted after witnessing the strike.
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