The 2026 World Cup is already delivering on its promise, with more goals flying into the net than ever before as we tear through the Round of 16. We've seen some absolute bangers and golazos that are straight-up jaw-dropping, with superstars like Lionel Messi continuing to make history. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have both bagged multiple braces, and Ousmane Dembélé even notched a hat trick for France in their final group play match. But when you talk about the *best* of the best goals so far, one stands above the rest, even in a losing effort.
Cape Verde Almost Stuns the World with a Goal for the Ages
You know those goals that just hit different? That's exactly what Sidny Lopes Cabral delivered for Cape Verde against Argentina. In a match where Cape Verde needed to level things up in the Round of 32, Cabral scored a goal that will be talked about for generations. We're talking the 103rd minute, folks, deep into extra time, and Cabral goes end-to-end, absolutely burying a top-bins shot from the edge of the opposite side of the box. The audacity! It tied the match, nearly setting up one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, even though Argentina ultimately pulled ahead in the second extra time and took the win. That goal, though? It should absolutely stand the test of time. Then there's Norway's Andreas Schjelderup, who put England on upset watch with his own incredible golazo. It's wild that Norway's top goal on this list isn't from Erling Haaland, which tells you everything you need to know about Schjelderup's strike. In the 36th minute, he drove down the left side of the box, unleashing a shot with perfect placement. Top bins, beating England keeper Jordan Pickford. What a strike!Haaland Flexes, Nusa Curls, Diallo Controls
Speaking of Haaland, the dude has already netted a handful of memorable goals in his first World Cup, but his second goal to complete the brace against Brazil was his absolute best yet. The Manchester City star used pure, unadulterated strength to power home a much-needed second goal for Norway, scoring from outside the box with no momentum to speak of. That was his seventh goal of the tournament, by the way, tying him for first in the Golden Boot race after that Sunday match, and he even sat out a group play game! Unreal. The Ivory Coast vs. Norway clash in the Round of 32 was a treat for any true soccer fan, and the opening goal set the tone perfectly. Martin Ødegaard played a sweet ball to Antonio Nusa on the left wing. Nusa, the RB Leipzig playmaker, took on two defenders, cut inside on his right foot, and delivered a beautiful finish just inside the far post. It was a goal ignited the game, a type of strike we haven't seen much of in the tournament so far. And let's not forget Amad Diallo for Ivory Coast, who's been thriving with a pair of big goals off the bench, his second being one of the best. He played a clever one-two with Nicola, showing off some amazing control. We're still in the thick of the Round of 16, and if these goals are any indication, we're in for even more absolute fireworks. What jaw-dropping moments will the next round bring?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.