Cape Verde’s Sidny Cabral celebrates in crowd after scoring screamer against Argentina | OneFootball

Sidny Cabral scored arguably the goal of the tournament and celebrated by jumping into the crowd as tiny Cape Verde threatened to produce one of biggest ever World Cup upsets against Argentina.

With his side trailing 2-1 in extra time, Cabral cut past Alexis Mac Allister into the box before bending spectacularly into the top-right corner, curling around the body of Nahuel Molina as Cape Verde pegged back the holders for the second time of their last-32 clash.

Wild celebrations erupted inside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with 23-year-old Cabral - who plays for Turkish side Trabzonspor - leaping into the stands to celebrate amongst the Cape Verde fans, among which were presumably his friends and family.

“Sidny Lopes Cabral, what a goal,” said Ally McCoist on ITV.

“Oh wow, he opens his body up and smashes it into the top corner. Honestly. That was different class.”

Sidny Cabral scored perhaps the goal of the tournament against Argentina (Reuters)

It was the latest memorable moment of a remarkable debut World Cup campaign for Cape Verde, who went unbeaten through the group - a run which included a draw against Spain - to beat the odds and reach the knockout-stages.

However, many were expecting their World Cup fairytale to come to an end at the hands of 2022 champions Argentina, especially when Lionel Messi gave them the lead before the half-hour mark.

But on 59 minutes, Cape Verde stunned Argentina by hitting back with an equaliser courtesy of Deroy Duarte.

Goalkeeping sensation Vozinha, who has seen his Instagram following soar to 17 million thanks to his incredible performances this tournament, produced even more heroics to deny Messi a second on multiple occasions, helping Cape Verde force extra time as a result.

And while Lisandro Martinez finally put Argentina back in front just two minutes after the restart, Cabral came up with a moment for World Cup folklore as he bent home an absolute beauty before extra time’s interval.

Argentina did manage to find the winner through the misfortune of a Cape Verde own goal, Diney Borges knocking into his own net.

But the holders were pushed to their very limits by a team ranking 62 positions lower than them in the world rankings.