The goal scored by Uzbekistan national team forward Eldor Shomurodov against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken second place in the ranking of the tournament's most beautiful goals. This was announced by the International Football Federation (FIFA).
According to the results of a fan vote conducted on FIFA's official website, Cape Verde national team defender Sidney Lopes Cabral was recognized as the author of the tournament's most beautiful goal. He secured first place with his goal scored in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Argentina.
According to the voting results, Eldor Shomurodov's goal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo was deemed worthy of second place, while the goal of Haiti national team player Wilson Isidor took third place.
Cabral's goal, deemed worthy of victory, was scored in extra time of the match against Argentina, held in the city of Miami. He skillfully dribbled past an opposing defender and accurately aimed at the far top corner of the goal from outside the penalty area. Although the match ended with a 3:2 victory for the Argentina national team, this particular strike was recognized as the tournament's most beautiful goal.
While accepting the award, the 23-year-old footballer recalled that moment.
"After getting past my opponent, I saw free space and decided to take a shot. I can strike well with both feet. Seeing the ball heading towards the top corner, I thought, 'What have I done?' It was a goal scored at the World Cup, and it was very hard to realize it had turned out that way," Cabral said.
According to the footballer, before the match, he said that if he scored a goal, he would run to his mother Teresa and his girlfriend, who were sitting in the stands. However, when the goal was celebrated, his mother fainted due to intense excitement.
"When I reached her, I saw my mother crying. But she didn't even notice I had come up to her. Those around were busy bringing her to her senses, because she had fainted from excitement when I scored the goal," Cabral said.
It is noted that the list of contenders for the tournament's most beautiful goal also included New Zealand representative Elijah Just, France national team forward Kylian Mbappé, Argentina captain Lionel Messi, Bosnia and Herzegovina footballer Kerim Alajbegović, Japan representative Daizen Maeda, Norway forward Erling Haaland, Argentina footballer Julián Álvarez, England midfielder Jude Bellingham, and Spain national team representative Ferran Torres.
