Mbappé pulls ahead of Messi, Saka scores a hat-trick in a match that could see 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé rose to the top of the goalscoring charts with 10 goals after scoring a brace against England. Bukayo Saka shone brightly with a hat-trick, helping the Three Lions secure third place in an incredible 6-4 comeback victory.
The 2026 World Cup third-place match between France and England was not just a clash for pride, but also a frenzied attacking spectacle with 10 goals scored. In that dramatic chaos, Kylian Mbappé officially overtook Lionel Messi to take sole possession of the Golden Boot race, while Bukayo Saka made a strong impression with a superb hat-trick.
A goalfest and a solo performance by Bukayo Saka
England dealt a blow to France's ambitions in the first half. Declan Rice opened the scoring with a superb long-range strike in the 3rd minute, before Konsa doubled the lead from a corner. However, the spotlight of the first half belonged to Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal winger capitalized on his space to score two consecutive goals in the 37th and 45+1 minutes, giving the Three Lions an astonishing 4-0 lead going into halftime.
Despite a strong comeback from France in the second half, Saka extinguished their hopes. In the 87th minute, from the penalty spot, he deceived goalkeeper Maignan to complete his personal hat-trick. This performance not only helped England withstand immense pressure but also affirmed Saka's position as one of the top attacking stars of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé: A statement on the threshold of history.
Entering the match with eight goals, level with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé understood he needed to score to gain an advantage before the final. Just three minutes into the second half, the French captain capitalized on his determination with a delicate angled shot after an assist from Olise. In the 66th minute, Mbappé completed his brace with a low, powerful shot into the near corner, bringing his total goals in the tournament to 10.
With this achievement, Mbappé not only surpassed Messi but also broke his own record of 8 goals at the 2022 World Cup. Currently, the Real Madrid striker holds a huge advantage in the race for the Golden Boot, having created a 2-goal gap with his closest pursuer.
World Cup 2026 Top Scorer Rankings (Updated July 19)
Here is a list of the top scorers after the third-place match between France and England:
| Location | Player | Team | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 10 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Hero | 8 |
| 3 | Jude Bellingham | Older brother | 7 |
| 3 | Ousmane Dembélé | France | 7 |
| 5 | Harry Kane | Older brother | 6 |
| 6 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Spain | 5 |
*Note: Bukayo Saka scored 3 goals in this match; however, his total number of goals for the entire tournament is being updated by the organizers based on data from previous rounds.
The ultimate challenge for Lionel Messi in the final.
All eyes are now on Lionel Messi in the final against Spain. To equal Mbappé's record, El Pulga needs at least a brace. If he wants to claim the Golden Boot exclusively, a hat-trick is a must. However, this is no easy task when his opponent is a Spanish team with an impenetrable defense.
La Roja have conceded only one goal in seven matches, with coach Luis de la Fuente's synchronized pressing system completely stifling France's attacking stars in the semi-final (keeping their expected goals xG at 0.31). Messi will need strong support from Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez to penetrate the defense commanded by Rodri and Aymeric Laporte.
Final prediction: Spain vs Argentina
The final was a clash of two opposing football philosophies: Spain's absolute control of space and the resilience and efficiency of the defending champions, Argentina. Spain were considered the favorites, with a 45.1% chance of winning in 90 minutes thanks to their 37-match unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, Argentina possessed extensive experience in big matches and an attack that had scored 19 goals since the start of the tournament.
The race for the Golden Boot and the World Cup title will be decided in 90 minutes (or more) of the final match. Can Messi create another miracle to surpass Mbappé, or will the French striker officially be crowned the top scorer?
Predicted lineup
- Spain:Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
- Female:Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister; Simeone, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.