Argentina captain Lionel Messi has moved ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.
Messi took the lead after recording two assists in Argentina’s 2-1 comeback victory over England at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia on Wednesday.
The two assists were Messi’s third and fourth of the tournament, putting him ahead of Mbappe. Both players have scored eight goals, but Messi now has four assists compared with Mbappe’s three.
The Golden Boot is awarded to the tournament’s leading scorer. Messi’s two assists against England also increased his career World Cup total to a tournament-record 12 assists.
Argentina will now face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina will have the opportunity to win its fourth World Cup title.
Messi played a decisive role late in the semifinal after Argentina struggled for much of the second half.
England took the lead in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock.
However, Messi helped Argentina equalize in the 85th minute. He dropped his shoulder before finding Enzo Fernandez in open space about 20 yards from goal. Fernandez made no mistake, beating Jordan Pickford with a finish into the side netting.
Lautaro Martinez then scored Argentina’s winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time, with Messi once again providing the assist.
After Alexis Mac Allister’s shot struck the post, Messi recovered the ball, drove down the right side and delivered a cross for Martinez to head home and complete Argentina’s comeback.
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