The Goal That Stopped the World: Sidny Lopes Cabral Named Best Goal at the World Cup
The Cape Verde defender curled one into the top corner against Argentina in extra time of the round of 16 — and FIFA named it the most beautiful goal of the World Cup.
"When I looked up and saw the ball heading for the top corner, I thought: what did I just do?" Those are Sidny Lopes Cabral's own words — and they say it all.
FIFA named the Cape Verde defender's goal against Argentina the best of the World Cup. The moment came in the 103rd minute, deep into extra time of the round of 16. Lisandro Martínez had just put Argentina back in front, but Lopes Cabral answered ten minutes later with a right-footed strike from the left corner of the box, straight into the far top corner.
Just before that, he had nutmegged Alexis Mac Allister — inside the box, almost on the touchline — and then simply decided to have a go. "I saw a gap and thought: let's try," he told FIFA. "I finish well with both feet. I aimed for the top corner, connected, and couldn't believe it."
Born in the Netherlands in 2002, Lopes Cabral arrived at the World Cup representing Benfica and signed for Trabzonspor in June. A defender. Against Argentina. In extra time. Into the top corner.
Cape Verde were eliminated in that match, but they left the World Cup with something no other team can claim: the tournament's most beautiful goal.
Argentina, meanwhile, are still alive — and Golmetria's model gives them a 68% chance of reaching the final. The market, however, is more skeptical: the implied probability from the odds sits at around 7.5% for the title. A divergence worth watching.
What no one disputes: that strike from Lopes Cabral will live long in the memory, well after the champion has been crowned.