‘What the hell did I just do?’ – Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral relives World Cup wonder goal

Sidny Lopes Cabral has admitted he was left stunned by his own brilliance after his stunning strike for Cape Verde was crowned the Goal of the Tournament at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 23-year-old produced one of the defining moments of the competition during Cape Verde’s Round of 32 clash against Argentina, beating a host of global stars to claim the prestigious award.

Despite the tournament featuring breathtaking goals from some of football’s biggest names, including Lionel Messi, Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Julián Álvarez, FIFA confirmed Cabral’s strike had received the most votes from fans.

His goal became a historic achievement for Cape Verde, who continued to make their mark on the global stage with an unforgettable World Cup campaign.

Spain eventually lifted the trophy after defeating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive late winner in a tournament filled with memorable performances and controversy.

But among all the spectacular moments, it was Cabral’s moment of individual brilliance that captured the imagination of football fans worldwide.

‘I couldn’t believe it was going in’

Reflecting on the goal, Cabral revealed that even he struggled to comprehend what he had achieved after finding the top corner with a sensational finish.

“The moment I dribbled past my opponent, I saw an opening and thought, ‘Let’s have a go’,” said Cabral, whose parents were born on the Cape Verde archipelago.

“I shoot well with both feet. I saw the space and was eyeing the top corner. I aimed there and struck the ball really well.”

The Cape Verde forward explained that the reality of scoring such a goal on football’s biggest stage only sank in after he saw the ball heading into the net.

“When I looked up and saw it heading for that top corner, I thought, ‘What the hell did I just do?’ I couldn’t believe it. I looked at my team-mates – everyone was screaming, hands on their heads, overjoyed.”

Cabral admitted his celebration was instinctive as he struggled to process the significance of the moment.

“I started running without thinking. Then it hit me that I’d scored a spectacular goal in the World Cup.”

“Everybody dreams of just scoring in the World Cup, but to score in this way, at such a big stage against such a big team, was amazing. I was really happy.”

From Benfica to a new chapter in Turkey

Cabral’s World Cup heroics come at a significant point in his career, with the attacker recently securing a major move to Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor.

The 23-year-old joined the club from Benfica in a reported €10 million deal, strengthening his reputation as one of Cape Verde’s brightest emerging talents.

His Goal of the Tournament award has further elevated his profile, with many now watching closely to see how he develops after announcing himself on football’s biggest platform.