The goal by Cape Verdean Sidny Lopes Cabral against Argentina, best goal of the World Cup

The goal that made it 2-2 temporarily, the most highly rated of the World Cup

The goal scored by Cape Verde forward Sidny Lopes Cabral against Argentina in the round of 16, which meant the temporary 2-2 equalizer for his team, ultimately eliminated, was chosen as the best of the World Cup, according to FIFA.

It was in the 103rd minute of the match, already in extra time, after a one-all draw in regular time. Lisandro Martínez had put Argentina back in front, but Lopes Cabralrestored parity on the scoreboard barely ten minutes later with a right-footed strike from the left corner of the box.

The defender, born in the Netherlands in 2002 and who signed last June for Turkish side Trabzonspor from Benfica, left the Argentine Alexis Mac Allister behind with a feint, entered the box and, practically on its byline, placed the ball into the far top corner.

"As soon as I got past my opponent, I saw an opening and thought: "Let's give it a try". I strike well with both feet. I saw the space and aimed for the top corner. I went for that spot and hit a great shot. When I looked up and saw the ball was heading for the top corner, I thought: "What have I just done?". I couldn't believe it," the player admitted, in remarks to FIFA.

'When I looked up and saw that the ball was going toward the top corner, I thought: "What have I just done?". I couldn't believe it'

"I looked at my teammates and they were all shouting, with their hands on their heads, overflowing with joy. I started running without thinking. Then I realized that I had just scored a spectacular goal in a World Cup. Everyone dreams of scoring in a World Cup, but doing it this way, on such a stage and against an opponent of that caliber, was incredible. I was really happy," he continued.

Everyone dreams of scoring in a World Cup, but doing it this way, on such a stage and against an opponent of that caliber, was incredible. I was really happy

Afterwards, however, his teammate Diney scored an own goal in the 111th minute, so Cape Verde were eliminated and Argentina advanced to the next round.

In addition, Lopes Cabral revealed that the former Real Madrid and Brazil national team player Marcelo personally congratulated him. "After the match I received a message from Marcelo. He is one of my biggest idols. He is a left-back, masters both feet and has extraordinary technique. He told me he had voted my goal as the best of the tournament! All I could think was: "I can't believe it!"" he said.

Marcelo told me he had voted my goal as the best of the tournament!" All I could think was: "I can't believe it!

The Top 3

The podium of the best goals of the World Cup was completed by the goal from Eldor Shomurodov, of Uzbekistan, against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in second place, and that of Wilson Isidor, of Haiti, against Morocco, in third position. Both were scored in the group stage.