CORNERFLICK
Kylian Mbappé has one final chance to overtake Lionel Messi and claim the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot in France’s third-place play-off.
Mbappé and Messi are level on eight goals at the top of the tournament scoring chart, and neither added to their tally in the semi-finals. France face the third-place match, while Messi will play in the final with Argentina.
If the pair finish on the same number of goals, assists will be the first tie-breaker. Messi currently holds the advantage there, which means Mbappé may need to score in France’s last game to take the prize.
A Golden Boot for Mbappé would make him the first player in World Cup history to win the award twice. He finished as the top scorer at the 2022 tournament with eight goals as well.
Didier Deschamps is still expected to treat the play-off seriously as he looks to end his long spell in charge with a win after the semi-final defeat to Spain. France face England, who have lost only once in their past nine meetings with the French.