2026 World Cup: Messi leads Mbappe, Kane in Golden Boot race ahead of quarter-finals

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, is now clear in the race for the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup.

This comes after he struck the equalizer, as the current champions came from behind to beat Egypt 3-2 in a last-16 fixture on Tuesday night.

Messi had the chance to score his eighth goal of the tournament, but he saw his effort palmed away from 12 yards.

Yasser Ibrahim had opened the scoring with a towering header, before Mostafa Zico mde it 2-0 for the Pharaohs.

With time running out, Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernandez all scored to hand Argentina a sensational victory.

Messi now has eight goals, one more than Kylian Mbappe (France) and Harry Kane (England).

Argentina will now face either Switzerland or Colombia next.

As it stands, Belgium play Spain, England will face Norway, while France will take on Morocco in the quarter-finals.

2026 World Cup: Messi leads Mbappe, Kane in Golden Boot race ahead of quarter-finals