Lionel Messi walked off the pitch against Austria with the World Cup's all-time goals record in his pocket – and a brace that lifted him to five goals in two games. The 38-year-old Argentina star, who had already scored a hat-trick against Algeria, now tops the Golden Boot standings with 18 World Cup goals, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose (16).
But within hours, Kylian Mbappe responded with two goals of his own in France's weather-delayed victory over Iraq on his 100th international appearance. The Frenchman has pulled level with Klose on 16 goals in as many matches. Then Erling Haaland, the Manchester City phenomenon, added a double as Norway beat Senegal to qualify for the last 32. All three now have four or more goals – a feat only achieved once before in World Cup history, in 1954.
“Messi leads Golden Boot with 5 goals; Mbappe and Haaland have 4 each after doubles.”
“With the big stars, they want the ball all the time,” French football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Sport. “I guess part of it is that they're not just chasing the Golden Boot, a handful of them are chasing the all-time record too.”
Haaland, with 59 goals in 52 Norway appearances, is just the sixth player to score multiple goals in each of his first two World Cup matches. Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist told ITV: “In terms of natural footballing ability, Messi is out in front, with Kylian Mbappe probably in second.”
England's Harry Kane, who bagged a double against Ghana on opening day, can add to his tally against the same opponent on Tuesday. Deniz Undav (Germany) sits fourth on three goals, while a cluster of players including Vinicius Jr (Brazil) and Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) have two.
The race is not just about the golden boot – it is about history. Messi, Mbappe and Haaland each have the all-time record in their sights. Mbappe, at 27, could become the first striker to win multiple Golden Boots. Haaland, at 25, has a remarkable rate that could one day eclipse them all. But for now, as the world's best strikers trade blows, one question remains: who will come out on top?