Stunning strike against Argentina voted best goal of the World Cup

Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Cape Verde made more World Cup history on Monday (local time) when Sidny Lopes Cabral won the public vote for goal of the tournament.

Lopes Cabral’s curling shot into the far top corner of the Argentina net was a standout moment at the World Cup where the unheralded African team made a stellar debut.

His goal tied defending champions Argentina at 2-2 in extra time of their thrilling round of 32 game in Miami Gardens. Cape Verde would eventually lose 3-2.

Lopes Cabral’s goal was voted the best of the 308 goals scored at the tournament, ahead of Eldor Shomurodov's delicate lob for Uzbekistan against Congo and Wilson Isidor of Haiti scoring with a powerful rising shot against Morocco.

Lopes Cabral’s celebration also entered World Cup lore as he broke free of team-mates reaching to grab him before climbing into the tribune to hug his girlfriend and look for his mother.

“Before the game, I’d told my mum and my girlfriend that if I scored, I’d run over to them,” he said.

“When I got there, I saw my mum crying. She hadn’t even realised I was right there. Everyone was busy tending to her because she had fainted when I scored.”

Eli Just announced himself on the world stage with three goals in three games but the All Whites ultimately fell short of their main objectives.

Cape Verde defied both World Cup finalists in their four games, after goalkeeper Vozinha’s standout display saw his team open with a 0-0 draw to stun eventual champions Spain.

FIFA drew up a shortlist of 12 goals for public voting, which included All Whites midfielder Eli Just.

Just's stunning opener in New Zealand's 2-2 draw with Iran made the final shortlist His opening strike against Iran was the standout, as he flicked the ball up with his left foot before rifling a volley with his weaker right foot after excellent hold-up play from captain Chris Wood.

Just admitted afterwards he barely remembered scoring the spectacular goal, saying it all unfolded in an instant.

The 26-year-old scored three goals during a breakout World Cup campaign, earning himself a big-money move from Scottish side Motherwell to English Championship outfit Swansea, where he will play alongside international team-mate Marko Stamenić.