Fully-deserved! Cabo Verdean's screamer named World Cup Goal of the Tournament

Few teams captured the imagination quite like Cabo Verde at the 2026 World Cup.

They reached the knockout stage in their maiden appearance, winning the hearts of football fans all over the globe, their goalkeeper, Vozinha, became one of the tournament's breakout stars, while their heroic performances against the giants, Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina, inspired a new generation of children to dream big.

Cabo Verde's medal-worthy feat: only team that stood up to both World Cup finalists!

However, the recognition just keeps coming for the Blue Sharks.

Sidny Lopes Cabral's extra-time screamer against La Albiceleste in the World Cup Round of 16 has officially been named the Goal of the Tournament!

The 23-year-old found the net with a magnificent strike in the 103rd minute to level the score at 2-2. Still, unfortunately for his team, Lionel Scaloni’s squad went on to win the game thanks to Diney Borges' own goal eight minutes later.

Naturally, Cabral was thrilled to have been the online voters' choice.

"Thank you, everybody who has voted for me! I am very happy with this achievement, that I won the most beautiful goal in the World Cup. I can't describe how grateful I am for this moment," he said.

With this honor, the Trabzonspor player joined an elite group of players to have won the award since it was introduced in 2006: Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina, 2006), Diego Forlan (Uruguay, 2010), James Rodriguez (Colombia, 2014), Benjamin Pavard (France, 2018), and Richarlison (Brazil, 2022).