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.

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.

France secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup by defeating Paraguay 1-0, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the decisive penalty in the second half. The first half ended without goals as France struggled to penetrate Paraguay's defense, but a foul by Desire Doue inside the area led to the penalty that determined the match outcome.

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.

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.