Cabral’s stunning strike for Cape Verde voted World Cup goal of the tournament by FIFA

Sidney Lopes Cabral’s spectacular equaliser for Cape Verde against Argentina has been officially named the best goal of the 2026 World Cup by FIFA.

The forward’s effort in the round of 32 has won the FIFA Hyundai Goal of the Tournament award after topping a global fan vote on the governing body’s official website.

Cabral received the ball outside the box and beat Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister with an audacious piece of skill before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The goal levelled the tie at 2-2 and capped a dramatic fightback for Cape Verde, although Lionel Messi and his team-mates eventually progressed with a 3-2 victory after extra time.

Fan vote places Cabral ahead of global stars

FIFA confirmed that Cabral’s strike finished ahead of 11 other shortlisted efforts from across the tournament to claim the award.

The Cape Verde forward’s goal was preferred by supporters to two other standout contenders: a long-range effort by Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov against DR Congo, and a strike from Haiti’s Wilson Isidor against Morocco. Shomurodov’s goal finished second in the voting, with Isidor’s taking third place.

Cabral’s winner also edged out high-profile goals from several leading names who reached the latter stages of the competition.

Among those on the final shortlist were Kylian Mbappe’s goal for France against Senegal, Lionel Messi’s strike for Argentina against Algeria, Julian Alvarez’s effort for Argentina against Switzerland, and Ferran Torres’s decisive goal for Spain in the final against Argentina.

Historic World Cup for Cape Verde

The 2026 finals marked Cape Verde’s first-ever appearance at a World Cup, and the African side made an instant impression on the global stage.

They advanced from the group phase on debut before their run came to an end in the round of 32 with the narrow extra-time defeat by Argentina – a match in which Cabral’s award‐winning goal briefly put them on course for a famous upset.

Despite the exit, Cabral’s strike and the team’s progress beyond the groups were seen as landmark moments in Cape Verde’s football history, ensuring their maiden campaign left a lasting legacy on the tournament.

Spain crowned world champions

The World Cup itself concluded with Spain lifting the trophy for the second time in their history.

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in a tightly contested final that went to extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal of the game to secure the title.

The victory added a second world crown to Spain’s honours and denied Argentina back-to-back World Cup triumphs, following their success at Qatar 2022.