France captain Kylian Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup, helping his team qualify for the quarter-finals after a tense match against Paraguay. He converted a second-half penalty, putting him ahead of Argentina's Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, due to having two assists to his name as well.

As of June 24, 2026, Lionel Messi is leading the race for the Golden Boot in the World Cup with five goals, while Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are closely following with four goals each, raising questions about whether this could be the best Golden Boot contest ever, according to Al Jazeera.

Kylian Mbappé of France scored his 19th career World Cup goal during the Round of 16 match against Paraguay in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026. He converted a penalty kick, bringing him within one goal of the record holder, Lionel Messi of Argentina. This goal marks Mbappé's achievement in 19 World Cup appearances, as he continues to compete for the Golden Boot.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland each scored two goals in their respective matches, intensifying the competition for the World Cup Golden Boot. Messi, just days before his 39th birthday, contributed both goals to Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria at Dallas Stadium. This performance has set the stage for a thrilling showdown among these three prominent football stars.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams, players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Cristiano Ronaldo are breaking records in a competitive race for the Golden Boot, highlighting their elite scoring abilities.

Kylian Mbappe matched Lionel Messi's tally of seven goals at the 2026 World Cup as France secured a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the last 16. This win sets up a quarter-final match against Morocco.