Sidny Lopes Cabral's goal was a remarkable World Cup moment Darrian Traynor/Getty Images MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The most accomplished football player in history raised his hands to his head and stroked his hair in pure disbelief of what he had just seen.

Cape Verde's run at the 2026 World Cup came to an end on Friday against Argentina, but not before the islands nation delivered another impressive outing that might just have included the goal of the t

Cape Verde's football team have been welcomed home by tens of thousands of elated supporters following a historic run at the World Cup. The Blue Sharks flew into the capital city, Praia, on Sunday, having been knocked out of the tournament after a thrilling match against reigning champions Argentina.

Reigning champions Argentina narrowly avoided one of the all-time great upsets as they beat Cape Verde 3-2 in one of the best matches in recent World Cup history. Sidny Lopes Cabral scored a remarkable goal-of-the-tournament contender when he curled a shot past Emiliano Martinez to draw Cape Verde level after Lisandro Martinez’s strike in extra time.

By any measure, Cape Verde should have next ​to no chance of knocking Argentina and Lionel Messi out of the World Cup on Friday, but ‌the Africans have huge confidence in their ability to defy the odds and keep their fairytale debut campaign alive.

Argentina's 3-2 victory over Cape Verde proved Nana Kwaku Bonsam's bold World Cup prediction wrong and kept Lionel Messi's side in the tournament.

And the Cape Verde national team’s return home this Sunday (5) reflects that. An INSANE welcome, with thousands of fans celebrating at the airport and in the streets. Watch: