Cape Verde star fullback Sydney Lopes Cabral’s stunning goal against Argentina in the last 32 thrilling World Cup match was named Goal of the Tournament. FIFA, the governing body of world football, officially announced this on Monday.
The 23-year-old defender, who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, shared one of the best memories of the tournament when he faced the mighty Argentina in Miami on July 4. In the extra time of the match, Alexis Mac Alastair was beaten with a clever dribbling shot from a long-range curve and dodged the eyes of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. His eye-catching goal brought the match back to a 2-2 draw.
Cabral snatched the crown of the best, beating the attractive goals of Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov and Haiti’s Wilson Isidore. Through this, he wrote his name in lists like Maxi Rodriguez (2006), Diego Forlan (2010), James Rodriguez (2014), Benjamin Pavard (2018) and Richarlison (2022).
Recalling this historic goal, an emotional Cabral said, ‘When I overcame the opponent and moved forward, I thought let’s try a game of blank space. I can take good shots on both legs. The shot aimed at the top corner was fine. I couldn’t believe it myself when I saw the ball going towards the net. Everyone was screaming with their hands on their heads in surprise.’
Cabo Verde finally departed after losing the match 3-2, but an unprecedented atmosphere was created in the gallery of Miami Stadium. After scoring, Cabral ran to the gallery, where his mother Teresa lost consciousness due to the excess of emotions. Cabral said that before the match, he promised his mother and girlfriend that he would run towards them if he scored.
Cabral’s outstanding performance not only won the praise of the football world, but also the praise of his childhood idol, Brazilian legend Marcelo. After the match, Marcelo himself congratulated Cabral by sending a message revealing that he himself had voted for the goal.
