Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde, extra-time thriller; Lopes Cabral stuns

sportsJul 3, 2026581,286

Argentina edged Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a Round of 32 classic, with Cristian Romero’s deflected header providing the winner. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the first half and moved clear of Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. Deroy Duarte pulled Cape Verde level to force extra time, and then Sidny Lopes Cabral produced a spectacular leveller in extra time, cutting inside from the left and curling into the top corner past Emiliano Martinez. The New York Times called Lopes Cabral’s strike a goal-of-the-tournament contender and praised Cape Verde’s sustained possession and resilience. Argentina survived repeated scares and, after the Romero winner, progress to the Round of 16 while Cape Verde’s run ends in one of the tournament’s most memorable matches.

Rodger Sherman

@rodger.bsky.social

from 2023 to 2025, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored one goal in 46 appearances in the third German division he just scored the best goal of the World Cup against the defending champions in extra time

3313h ago

Shai Hulud 🇺🇸 & 🇳🇬 & 🇮🇳1

I think/hope a lot of the Cabo Verde team get lucrative contracts

Quoting this

Delta Axoloti ⚽️3

Sidny só precisou de uma Copa pra marcar um gol espetacular na fase do mata-mata. O Cristiano Ronaldo precisou fazer hora extra em sua 6ª Copa prum gol roubado.

SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL, PH.D.3

Oh, that's where I recognize his name from — getting stupid yellow cards against 1860 when he played for Viktoria Köln.

JM =^)

@jm539581.bsky.social

Argentina 2-2 Cabo Verde 103'- Sidny Lopes Cabral with an incredible strike

1803h ago

Quoting this

JM =^)40

I still CANNOT believe this goal...

Emily✨3

And this guy did this, no biggie bsky.app/profile/jm53...

Diavoletta 😈 🍉3

Yeah that's the goal of the tournament

Ken Fang -- Very Asian3

Sidny said "GIVE ME THE DAMNED BALL AND WATCH WHAT I'M GOING TO DO!!!"

AJRed3

Pick that one out. #ARGCPV

Jaipur Drinker2

That’s got to be up there as one of the greatest goals scored in the history of the sport all things considered

xakab #1ADUO2ADUOHA HA HA2

Top 3 goal of the tournament

Ben Jacobs

@jacobsben.bsky.social

Cape Verde didn’t lose a game in 90 minutes at the 2026 World Cup. They drew with Spain and pushed Argentina all the way. Incredible story.👏🇨🇻

1782h ago

Michael Pina

@michaelvpina.bsky.social

still can’t believe someone decided to get married during cape verde-argentina

742h ago

🍁🇨🇦Team Canada Forever🇨🇦🍁

@teamcanadaforever.bsky.social

This image from the Cape Verde celebration tying goal against Argentina will stay engraved in my brain. Dude had just scored the goal of his life and his first act was to run to find his woman in the stands. ❤️🇨🇻

37Just now

The Cooligans

@soccercooligans.com

SIDNY LOPES CABRAL WITH QUITE POSSIBLY ONE OF THE GREATEST GOALS IN WORLD CUP HISTORY

343h ago

CBS Sports Golazo

@cbssportsgolazo-m.bsky.social

GIVE SIDNY LOPES CABRAL THE 2026 PUSKAS AWARD RIGHT NOW 😤

293h ago

Jay Jaffe

@jayjaffe.bsky.social

Had to pause Cape Verde-Argentina during dinner and just finished. Holy shit what amazing game. Sorry to see CV’s Cinderella story end but what a run

371h ago

Jake Lahut

@jakelahut.bsky.social

Cape Verde bandwagon 4eva. That Sidny Lopes Cabral had an incredible game and tournament

292h ago

Pat Gallen, CBS Sports Philadelphia

@patgallen.bsky.social

Argentina/Cape Verde is of the greatest games in any sport I’ve ever seen. It literally had everything: -Massive underdog vs #1 -GOAT vs unknowns -In Miami, Messi home -Beckham in attendance -Multiple comebacks -Multiple all-time goals -No fewer than 5 incredible saves -Overtime -Heartbreak

252h ago

pork, cheese, broccoli rabe

@garlicbuffalo.gobirds.biz

sidny lopes cabral making his €10mm transfer to türkiye look like a fucking bargain

283h ago

Neel Shelat

@shelatneel.bsky.social

Sidney Lopes Cabral literally doesn't have a weak foot. What a goal!!! #ARGCPV

223h ago

Kenny Campbell

@mrkennycampbell.bsky.social

Cape Verde is as populous as Edinburgh. Yet over 90 minutes, Argentina, Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia between them could not land a defeat on the Blue Sharks. And they were a joy to watch as well... be more Cape Verde (especially if you play your home games at Hampden) :-)

Confederation of African Football photo of the Cape Verde team with the title: Thank you, Cape Verde

192h ago

Dave Hogg

@davehogg.bsky.social

Remember, Vozinha doesn't even have a club team. Sidny Lopes Cabral, who just scored, plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey. Deroy Duarte, who got the first goal, plays for Ludogorets in Bulgaria.

193h ago

ESPN FC

@espnfc-m.bsky.social

SIDNY LOPES CABRAL IN EXTRA TIME … HE RUNS STRAIGHT INTO THE CROWD 😭💙 LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS TO CAPE VERDE 🇨🇻

153h ago

2 sources

nytimes.comHow Cape Verde equalised... again!!!roars.fansArgentina vs Cape Verde

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Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde, extra-time thriller; Lopes Cabral stuns

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