Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The World Cup has so far been notable for stand-out performances from those tipped to battle for the Golden Boot.
Here, the Press Association looks at the contenders for the prize.
Lionel Messi (five goals)
With five goals in two games, the Argentina captain has been arguably the story of the tournament so far. His first-half strike in Monday’s 2-0 win over Austria moved him ahead of Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer at the finals, before he went a further goal ahead in stoppage time with his 18th. With as many as six matches possibly to come if the world champions go all the way, it is highly likely the bar will be raised again before July 19.
Kylian Mbappe (four)
The France forward is one behind Messi after his two goals in Monday’s 3-0 win over Iraq moved him onto four for the tournament. His first effort in Monday’s victory was especially impressive, thumping into the top corner from outside the box to set the 2018 champions on their way to the last 32, as he kept pace with Argentina’s talisman in their personal race to finish the tournament as all-time top-scorer. He is currently two behind Messi on 16.
Erling Haaland (four)
Playing at his first World Cup, the Manchester City striker has made up for lost time by hitting four in his first two games as Norway have breezed into the knockout stages. There will be the first serious match-up between two Golden Boot contenders when his team face Mbappe’s France for top spot in Group I, with the pressure of qualification off both teams. Haaland has taken to international tournament football with ease.
Harry Kane (two)
Golden Boot winner in 2018, the Bayern Munich striker got off to a perfect start with two goals in England’s win over Croatia and he will fancy more before the group stage is done, with games against Ghana and Panama to come. Following a stunning domestic campaign in which he hit 58 goals for Bayern, the England captain is a serious contender, particularly with Thomas Tuchel’s team likely to go deep into the tournament.
Vinicius Junior (two)
The Real Madrid star struck a fabulous goal to rescue a point for Brazil in their opener against Morocco and his goalscoring is likely to be key as the five-time winners continue to struggle for rhythm at the finals. Capable of winning a match on his own, his form will be crucial to Brazil’s hopes of a decent run.
Outsiders
Folarin Balogun: With two goals in the United States’ first two games, the former Arsenal striker is the focal point for what could be an historic run for Mauricio Pochettino’s co-hosts.
Jonathan David: Though Canada’s hopes of a long run are perhaps dimmer than the other two host nations’, following his hat-trick against Qatar it would be unfair and perhaps unwise to dismiss the Juventus forward’s prospects.
Mikel Oyarzabal: Scorer of the winning goal for Spain in the Euro 2024 final, the Real Sociedad forward has made a fast start with two goals in his country’s thrashing of Saudi Arabia.
Deniz Undav: A rank outsider before the finals kicked off, the Stuttgart forward already has three goals and could be a surprise contender if Germany go far.
