2 min readJul 1, 2026 08:26 AM ISTFIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe leads the goal-scoring list ahead of Lionel Messi. (AP Photo)FIFA World Cup 2026 Leading Goal-scorers: Kylian Mbappe continued his sensational World Cup goal-scoring form as France routed Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32 match on Tuesday night.Mbappe secured a brace as France proceeded to the Round of 16, where they will face Paraguay on July 5. The French captain, who is featuring in his third World Cup, shattered the all-time knockout goals record, securing nine goals in as many appearances at the World Cup. Mbappe is also breathing down Argentina superstar Lionel Messi’s neck on the all-time World Cup goal-scoring charts as he stormed to his 18th goal in as many appearances in the tournament, only one behind Messi’s tally of 19 across six editions.ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup: Kylian Mbappe, France make it Didier Deschamps’ night“I’m very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it’s not just about me,” Mbappé said through a translator. “The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today. We did play well, but we were timid. We could have done better at the beginning.”ALSO READ | Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Haaland: A golden boot race unlike any otherMbappe leads the Golden Boot race ahead of Messi with an additional assist to his name, besides six goals. Meanwhile, Norway heavyweight Erling Haaland is also in the thick of things after netting a 86th-minute winner over Ivory Coast, taking his tally to five goals in his maiden World Cup appearance. France forward Ousmane Dembele and Brazil spearhead Vinicius Junior also remain firmly in the race, with four goals apiece.RankPlayerGoalsAssistsMinutes1Kylian MbappeFRANCE623782Lionel MessiARGENTINA602233Erling HaalandNORWAY503094Ousmane DembeleFRANCE423045Vinicius JuniorBRAZIL413986Deniz UndavGERMANY321747Johan ManzambiSWITZERLAND311468Ismaila SarrSENEGAL312749Cody GakpoNETHERLANDS3139410Brian BrobbeyNETHERLANDS3024511Matheus CunhaBRAZIL3026012Harry KaneENGLAND3029113Elijah JustNEW ZEALAND3029114Julian QuinonesMEXICO3029415Yoane WissaCONGO DR3030616Jonathan DavidCANADA3037017Ismael SaibariMOROCCO3039018Kai HavertzGERMANY30392Updated as of July 1, 2026 © IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Advertisement