Cape Verde defender Sidny Lopes Cabral has claimed the Goal of the Round of 32 award at FIFA World Cup 2026, edging out Argentina captain Lionel Messi and a host of other contenders in the fan vote.

Cabral earned the honour for a remarkable effort he produced against defending champions Argentina — a match Cape Verde lost 3-2 after extra time. The 23-year-old full-back cut in from the left flank early in the second half and curled an unstoppable shot beyond Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The strike captured the imagination of fans worldwide, with Cabral receiving a commanding 88.7 percent of the total votes cast — a landslide margin that left the rest of the field far behind.

Messi, who scored in the same match, finished second with just 4.1 percent of the vote. Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano came third with 1.9 percent for his goal against Brazil, while France forward Kylian Mbappe collected 1.6 percent. Mexico's Julian Quiñones rounded out the top five with 1.1 percent.

The award caps a memorable campaign for Cape Verde, who returned home to a hero's welcome following their valiant exit at the Round of 32. Despite the defeat, Cabral's goal stood as one of the tournament's defining moments in the competition's early stages.

Earlier in FIFA World Cup 2026, Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov had taken the Goal of the Group Stage award for his spectacular finish against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Three further goal awards remain to be decided — following the Round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals combined, and a grand final vote at the conclusion of the tournament.