CAPE VERDEâs Sidny Lopes Cabral scored the best goal of the World Cup and then celebrated by sprinting into the crowd to hug his girlfriend.
The stunning strike against Argentina dragged his side back to 2-2 in extra-time of their incredible last 32 clash.
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Cabral cut in from the left hand side and whipped the ball into the far corner just when it seemed the Africanâs were destined to peter out.
The 23-year-old â actually born in Holland â used an Argentine defender to block the goalkeeperâs vision and whip a stunning effort across goal.
The manic celebrations that followed saw the full-back sprint into the crowd and then bizarrely wait as his partner made her way down to embrace him.
While the identity of the Trabzonspor defenderâs girlfriend is unknown, she was certainly thrilled to embrace her man.
Ian Wright remarked on ITV: âHe wouldnât go back on the pitch until his girlfriend had seen him.â
Lopes Cabral â who was playing in the fifth tier of German football just a few years ago â will do well to ever beat that moment in his career and the 23-year-old made sure to savour every moment he could.
He very nearly replicated the feat in the 115th minute from a free-kick but Emi Martinez managed to tip his effort over the bar.
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It was the latest stunning moment in a magical World Cup for the African minnows who held the mighty Spain in the group stages and drew with Uruguay as well.
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Now, in the World Cup knockouts, they were on the cusp of shocking the world again â coming from behind TWICE to push Argentina towards penalties
Sadly, the all-time upset was only on the cards for about five minutes.
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Tottenhamâs Cristian Romero got his head on a Lionel Messi cross to make it 3-2.
Romeroâs header actually hit a defenderâs hand on the way in and that steered it towards goal, unfortunately for the brave Cape Verde troops. It was later ruled an own goal.
To put into context the difference between the two sides, Argentina are the second best team in the world in the Fifa rankings â Cape Verde are the ninth best in Africa at 67th in the world.
The defending champions held on to sneak through, but Messi and Co barely celebrated on the whistle.
It was Cape Verdeâs day as a new star lit his name up in lights.
The stunning strike against Argentina dragged his side back to 2-2 in extra-time of their incredible last 32 clash.
Advertisement
Cabral cut in from the left hand side and whipped the ball into the far corner just when it seemed the Africanâs were destined to peter out.
The 23-year-old â actually born in Holland â used an Argentine defender to block the goalkeeperâs vision and whip a stunning effort across goal.
The manic celebrations that followed saw the full-back sprint into the crowd and then bizarrely wait as his partner made her way down to embrace him.
While the identity of the Trabzonspor defenderâs girlfriend is unknown, she was certainly thrilled to embrace her man.
Ian Wright remarked on ITV: âHe wouldnât go back on the pitch until his girlfriend had seen him.â
Lopes Cabral â who was playing in the fifth tier of German football just a few years ago â will do well to ever beat that moment in his career and the 23-year-old made sure to savour every moment he could.
He very nearly replicated the feat in the 115th minute from a free-kick but Emi Martinez managed to tip his effort over the bar.
Advertisement
It was the latest stunning moment in a magical World Cup for the African minnows who held the mighty Spain in the group stages and drew with Uruguay as well.
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
Now, in the World Cup knockouts, they were on the cusp of shocking the world again â coming from behind TWICE to push Argentina towards penalties
Sadly, the all-time upset was only on the cards for about five minutes.
Advertisement
Tottenhamâs Cristian Romero got his head on a Lionel Messi cross to make it 3-2.
Romeroâs header actually hit a defenderâs hand on the way in and that steered it towards goal, unfortunately for the brave Cape Verde troops. It was later ruled an own goal.
To put into context the difference between the two sides, Argentina are the second best team in the world in the Fifa rankings â Cape Verde are the ninth best in Africa at 67th in the world.
The defending champions held on to sneak through, but Messi and Co barely celebrated on the whistle.
It was Cape Verdeâs day as a new star lit his name up in lights.
