Cape Verde made history when Sidny Lopes Cabral won the public vote for the goal of the tournament. His curling shot into reluctant Argentina’s far top corner was a standout moment in the World Cup, tying the defending champions 2‑2 in extra time of their round‑of‑32 game in Miami Gardens. Cape Verde eventually lost 3‑2.

Lopes Cabral’s goal was voted best of the 308 goals scored, beating Eldor Shomurodov’s delicate lob for Uzbekistan and Wilson Isidor’s powerful rising shot for Haiti. FIFA drew a shortlist of 12 goals for public voting that closed Monday.

The celebration entered World Cup lore as he broke free of teammates, climbed into the tribune, hugged his girlfriend, and searched for his mother. He said before the match that if he scored he would run to them; when he arrived, his mother was crying after fainting.

Cape Verde gave both World Cup finalists a run for their money in its four games, after goalkeeper Vozinha’s standout display helped the team open with a 0‑0 draw to stun eventual champion Spain.