Mbappe overtakes Messi in Golden Boot race after scoring brace in World Cup third-place match
France captain Kylian Mbappe scored two goals as Les Bleus lost 6-4 to England in the 2026 World Cup third-place match on Saturday night, taking his tournament tally to 10 goals and four assists. The brace puts him ahead of Argentina's Lionel Messi, who has eight goals and four assists ahead of Sunday's final against Spain. Other contenders include England's Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland (seven goals each), France's Ousmane Dembele (six goals, two assists), England's Harry Kane (six goals, one assist) and Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal (five goals, one assist). For Nigerian football fans following the tournament, Mbappe's lead adds intrigue to the final—if Messi scores, he could close the gap, while Mbappe's lead could influence betting odds and bragging rights among supporters. The match underscores the high-scoring nature of this World Cup, with several European stars dominating the scoring charts. Fans may want to track the final closely, consider how the Golden Boot race could affect post-tournament awards, and enjoy the clash of two of the game's biggest stars.