Cabral’s Strike Voted Best Goal of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Dragon Media News Desk
Cabo Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral’s spectacular strike against Argentina has been voted the Goal of the Tournament at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA announced on Monday that Cabral’s curling effort during the round-of-32 match received the highest number of votes. Goals by Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti’s Wilson Isidor finished second and third, respectively.
The match went into extra time after the two teams were level at 1–1 following 90 minutes. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead before Cabral produced the memorable equaliser in the 103rd minute.
Collecting the ball on the left, Cabral cut inside Alexis Mac Allister and curled a perfectly placed right-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez into the top corner.
“It was simply surreal,” Cabral told FIFA. “It is an enormous honour and the kind of recognition every player dreams of. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for my goal as the best of the tournament.”
Cabral said the award would motivate him to continue improving and help both his club and national team win more matches.
Argentina eventually secured victory through Cristian Romero’s deflected header and advanced to the round of 16.
With the honour, Cabral joined Maxi Rodriguez, Diego Forlan, James Rodriguez, Benjamin Pavard and Richarlison among the winners of the tournament’s best-goal award.
