Who is Sidny Lopes Cabral? Scorer of Cabo Verde’s most incredible goal
Cabo Verdes Sidney Lopes Cabral scored one of the goals of the World Cup, if not the goal of the World Cup to draw level with Argentina in extra time.
If it’s not the goal of the tournament, it’s going to take something magical to top it. Sidny Lopes Cabral’s wonder goal to equalize the match against Argentina in the extra time session will go down in Cabo Verde history and World Cup history.
The goal of goals
The minnows from the Cape did it again in their first ever knockout stage match, and they did it against the defending champions. After three straight draws in the group stages, Pedro Leitao Brito’s men ended the 90 minutes against Lionel Messi and mighty Argentina level at 1-1.
They went down a goal in the early minutes of the extra time session, but it was a moment of pure magic from Cabo Verde and their 23 year old defender Sidney Lopes Cabral. With the wind in the Albiceleste’s sails and the gas tank nearly on empty Lopes Cabral gave his country and fans around the globe a golazo they won’t soon forget.
One of the best goals you will see at the FIFA World Cup 🔥
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026
Sidny Lopes Cabral creates an unforgettable moment for Cape Verde 🇨🇻 pic.twitter.com/IHHRbHbqTA
From outside the area, he made one move around a defender, used another one as a well and curled a wonderfully struck and perfectly placed shot into the top corner. Ecstasy ensued as Lopes Cabral ran through a sea of his teammates, hands on head, and up into the stands looking for his significant other. It was a scene right out of the Wimbledon Championships, and one of the clips of the tournament.
A run to remember
So who is this Cabo Verde hero? Where did he come from? Born in 2002 in Rotterdam, Netherlands he spent time as a youth player with the FC Twente academy. His next step was Swedish side Helsingborg, playing with their youth side until Rot-Weiß Erfurt where he spent his first professional season.
EMI MARTÍNEZ FANTASTIC SAVE TO KEEP ARGENTINA IN FRONT 🧤 pic.twitter.com/0dBRUXz1df
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026
The next year he went to German side Viktoria Köln where he played 46 matches and scored one goal. He would move to Portugal at the beginning of this season and scored 5 goals and provided two assists before Primeira Liga giants Benfica came calling. He debuted right after the turn of the new year, but played just eight matches in the second half of the season.
Just before the World Cup, he was transferred to Turkish side Trabzonspor for €10 million, but after his performance tonight he might have a few more suitors looking to court him before the start of next season. Cabo Verde’s dream came crashing to a heroic, herculean end with Lopes Cabral getting another chance to equalize from a free kick, but was stifled by Dibu Martinez. The run might be over, but the legacy of Cabo Verde and the goal from Lopes Cabral will live on forever.
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