Cape Verde added another remarkable chapter to its World Cup story on Monday, as Sidny Lopes Cabral’s sensational strike was chosen by fans as the tournament’s best goal.
The Cape Verde forward produced one of the competition’s most unforgettable highlights, bending a superb effort into the far top corner against Argentina during a breakout World Cup debut for the unfancied African side.
His dramatic finish brought Cape Verde level at 2-2 against defending champion Argentina in extra time of a gripping round-of-32 clash in Miami Gardens, though Argentina ultimately edged the contest 3-2.
Cape Verde pulls even AGAIN vs Argentina 🚨 Sidny Lopes Cabral curls in STUNNING goal in extra time
Out of the 308 goals scored across the World Cup, Lopes Cabral’s strike came out on top in the fan vote, beating Eldor Shomurodov’s deft lob for Uzbekistan against Congo and Wilson Isidor’s thunderous rising effort for Haiti against Morocco.
FIFA had selected a 12-goal shortlist for supporters to decide the winner, with voting officially closing on Monday.
The moment became even more memorable because of what followed: Lopes Cabral slipped away from celebrating teammates, climbed into the stands and embraced his girlfriend while searching for his mother.
He later explained that he had promised both his mother and girlfriend before kickoff that he would run to them if he scored. When he reached the tribune, he found his mother in tears and unaware he was beside her, as those around her were helping after she fainted in the emotion of the goal.
Cape Verde’s fearless World Cup campaign also included frustrating both finalists, beginning with goalkeeper Vozinha’s outstanding performance in a stunning 0-0 draw against eventual champion Spain.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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