Messi Returns to the Field and Golden Boot Race at the World Cup Continues
Messi has six goals and needs Argentina to beat Cape Verde to reach the round of 16, with Mbappé leading on assists.
- On Friday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi resumes his pursuit of the Golden Boot as the defending champions face Cape Verde in the World Cup round of 32, with Messi sharing the tournament lead at six goals.
- Dating back to 2022, Messi has scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches—an unprecedented feat in tournament history—with 11 goals in that stretch pushing his all-time competition total to 19.
- France's Kylian Mbappé holds the edge over Messi via a 2-0 lead in assists, while Erling Haaland and Harry Kane trail closely with five goals each; FIFA uses assists as the first tiebreaker.
- While Norway, England, and France have already clinched spots in the round of 16, Argentina and Messi must defeat Cape Verde to advance alongside them.
- The Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament's top goal-scorer, remains an elusive trophy for Messi, who finished second in 2022 and tied for third in 2014.
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Argentina vs Cape Verde Live Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026: ARG survive Cape Verde scare to enter last 16
Argentina vs Cape Verde FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Match Today Live Updates: After Lionel Messi scored for Argentina in the 29th minute, Deroy Duarte scored in the 59th minute to restore parity. Thus World Cup debutants Cape Verde dragged the defending champions Argentina to extra time.
Associated Press News
Messi returns to the field and Golden Boot race at the World Cup continues
Lionel Messi resumes his chase of the Golden Boot on Friday. Argentina’s captain returns to the World Cup pitch when the defending champions take on Cape Verde in the round of 32 in Miami Gardens.
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2026 World Cup Golden Boot Race: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and the Stars in Contention
Who will win the Golden Boot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Here, we track the leading contenders as the goals fly in. Unofficially, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been dubbed “the World Cup of superstars”, with many of the biggest names at the competition rising to the occasion and finding frequently finding themselves on the scoresheet. As such, this is leading to a one of the tightest and most intriguing Golden Boot races ever seen at the World Cu…
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