Connect with us

Sports

All guns blazing as Messi, Mbappé and Haaland lead World Cup Golden Boot race

Published

on

Goal-scoring records have been tumbling at the 2026 World Cup – and the world’s most prolific strikers have another milestone in sight.

Usually a subplot, the race for the World Cup Golden Boot is one of the main talking points at this year’s tournament as the top marksmen set a blistering pace.

The overall record has already been broken by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who now has 18 goals over six World Cups after adding five in two games in the United States.

But he is being chased hard by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland – who have four goals apiece – with Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane also in the mix.

Advertisement

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Mbappé becomes France’s record scorer

The long-standing single-tournament record of 13 goals set in 1958 by France’s Just Fontaine appears vulnerable.

German great Gerd Muller was the last man to hit double figures, at the 1970 tournament in Mexico, when he scored 10 goals.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opener against Algeria on his 200th appearance for Argentina. © Claudia Greco, Reuters

Since then, at all but three tournaments, the leading scorer has hit six goals or fewer.

Advertisement

Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, has been the standout performer so far at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

He struck a memorable hat-trick against Algeria before scoring twice in a 2-0 victory over Austria, accounting for all five of the defending champions’ goals so far.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it was “hard to explain” the genius of the veteran forward after their opening match in Kansas City.

“We are amazed with him still, although we get to see him on a daily basis and he’s been the best for 20 years,” he said. “He still pulls it off every single match.”

Advertisement

Messi’s most likely challenger, based on the prospect of a deep run in the tournament, is Mbappé, who scored eight goals four years ago in Qatar to win the Golden Boot.

The 27-year-old, now France’s record goalscorer, is just two goals behind Messi’s career total.

Kylian Mbappé became France's all-time record scorer after his brace in their opening match against Senegal.
Kylian Mbappé became France’s all-time record scorer after his brace in their opening match against Senegal. © Dylan Martinez, Reuters

The Real Madrid star said, perhaps unconvincingly, that chasing Messi was not top of his mind after his team’s 3-0 stroll against Iraq in their second game.

“Leo always scores goals and always will,” he said. “So I am not looking at what he is doing, I’m just focusing on helping my team.”

Advertisement

‘They’re so inevitable’

Level with Mbappé on four goals is Manchester City forward Haaland, who has scored in his past 12 competitive appearances for Norway.

The giant forward, 25, played down his extraordinary talent after taking his international tally to a remarkable 59 goals in 52 games.

“It’s like many other things, I’m just really good at scoring goals and I’m quite lucky,” he said. “I don’t know what I’m doing. It’s just how it is.”

Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David have three goals each and Kane and Ronaldo are among a clutch of players with two.

Advertisement

Portugal’s Ronaldo briefly stole the spotlight from long-time rival Messi on Tuesday when he became the first man to score in six different World Cup tournaments.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Portugal and record-breaking Ronaldo outshine Uzbekistan

The 41-year-old roared, “I’m back, I’m back” after his two strikes in the 5-0 romp against Uzbekistan, which followed an insipid performance from him in their opening 1-1 draw against DR Congo.

Ronaldo, the leading scorer in men’s international history, with 145 goals, said: “I always arrive, even if it’s later, but I’m there.”

Advertisement
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal against Uzbekistan.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal against Uzbekistan. © Maria Lysaker, Imagn Images via Reuters

Kane, whose six goals won him the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, is stuck on two after missing a golden chance during England’s goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday.

US striker Folarin Balogun, who has netted twice, has set his sights on matching the world’s elite but realises he has a tough act to follow.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Group standings

“Seeing players like Messi, Mbappe, Haaland – they’re so inevitable. I think they’re scoring a goal a game, sometimes more,” he said.

Advertisement

“For me, it’s just about trying to get to that level – to be inevitable as well, to be consistent.”

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Chris Newsome urges quick turnaround for Meralco after loss

Published

on

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco guard Chris Newsome knows the Bolts can’t afford to dwell on another setback in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The veteran guard stressed the importance of moving on quickly after the Bolts fell to Barangay Ginebra, 84-75, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement

“We got to have short-term memory. It’s tough when you lose a game like that. We didn’t have momentum, we didn’t shoot well, it was one of those nights that you want to try and forget quickly,” he told the Inquirer.

“With a game on Sunday, that’s exactly what we have to do. We have to find a way to erase this one.”

Playing with a depleted lineup, the Bolts trailed from start to finish after falling behind, 18-10, at the end of the first quarter and never matched the Gin Kings’ intensity.

With a 2-3 card and a long break looming, Newsome hopes Meralco quickly shifts its focus to Sunday’s matchup against a surging Rain or Shine squad at Araneta Coliseum.

Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement

“We have to stay positive in the things that we do. We have to continue to trust what we do even if it didn’t show up today,” he said.

“Things aren’t gonna go your way all the time but we have to stay strong and keep pushing forward.”



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Advertisement


Your subscription has been successful.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Judo gold rush, Neeraj Chopra claims silver, Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Published

on

Team India enjoyed a landmark ninth day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, July 31. Highlighted by a historic double gold sweep on the judo mat, a podium finish in the men’s javelin throw, and a groundbreaking medal in athletics, the Indian contingent added significantly to its collection as the Games hit their climax. Team India’s medal tally stands at 23 won medals after day 9, along with 10 guaranteed medals locked in for upcoming finals.

Here is a full breakdown of how Team India performed across venues on Day 9.


Judo: Twin Commonwealth Games golds and silver mark red-letter day for Indian combat sports

Judo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: GettyJudo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: Getty
Judo – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 – Source: Getty

India’s judokas produced a standout performance at the venue, delivering one of the finest single-day displays in the country’s Commonwealth Games history.

Advertisement

Asmita Dey scripts Golden Score drama

In the women’s 48kg final, young judoka Asmita Dey displayed remarkable resilience against Canada’s Heidi Quach. After a tight bout during regulation time, the contest moved into Golden Score overtime, where Asmita executed a decisive throw to score a Yuko and secure India’s first judo gold medal in Glasgow.

Harsh Singh doubles the gold tally

Minutes later in the men’s 60kg final, Harsh Singh completed a flawless tournament run. Taking on Australia’s Joshua Katz, Harsh remained composed before scoring a crucial point in the closing moments to bag India’s second judo gold medal of the day.

Yamini Maurya earns silver

In the women’s 57kg final, Yamini Maurya added to India’s combat medal count with a hard-fought silver medal. Yamini reached the final following an emphatic 98-second Ippon victory in her semi-final bout before falling short against England’s Acelya Toprak.


Track & field: Javelin double podium and historic decathlon medal at Commonwealth Games

Neeraj Chopra takes silver; Yash Vir Singh claims bronze

The marquee event of the evening took place at the stadium in the men’s javelin throw final. Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra registered a season-best effort of 85.83m to claim the silver medal. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage captured gold with a massive 89.75m throw.

Advertisement

Joining Chopra on the podium was teammate Yash Vir Singh, who launched a personal best throw of 85.41m on his final attempt to snatch the bronze medal and secure a 2-3 finish for India.

Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Multi-event athlete Tejaswin Shankar turned in a heroic two-day performance across ten grueling disciplines to claim the bronze medal in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,976 points. Shankar’s podium finish marks India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon.


Boxing: Unbeaten semi-final sweep sends ten Indians into finals of Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s boxing squad put together a dominant session, winning all scheduled semi-final bouts to guarantee ten spots in the gold medal clashes:

  • Women’s 54kg: Preeti Pawar defeated Zambia’s Catherine Mwape via a unanimous 5-0 decision.
  • Men’s 80kg: Ankush Panghal controlled his bout against Canada’s Joshua Ofori to advance.
  • Women’s 57kg: Jaismine Lamboria notched a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Lesotho’s Rapelanf Maselela.
  • Women’s 70kg: Arundhati Chaudhary comfortably defeated Rosie Eccles of Wales.
  • Men’s 55kg: Jadumani Singh outpointed Namibia’s Philip Haoseb via unanimous decision.
  • Women’s 51kg & 60kg: Sakshi Chaudhary and Priya Ghanghas sealed victories over their respective semi-final opponents.
  • Heavyweight bouts: Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, and Narender Berwal closed out the day with semi-final wins.

Lawn bowls and track cycling at Commonwealth Games

Here is the performance of Indian athletes at lawn bowls and track racing on day 9:

  • Lawn bowls: The men’s pairs duo of Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar extended their unbeaten run by defeating the Falkland Islands 2-0 in sectional play to move into the knockout rounds. In women’s singles, Nayanmoni Saikia posted a convincing 2-0 win over Zambia’s Mildred Mkandawire.
  • Track cycling: Harshveer Sekhon and Dinesh Kumar competed in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit qualification rounds but missed out on advancing to the final heat.