Argentina captain Lionel Messi has opened up a one-goal lead in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot after scoring his eighth goal of the tournament in his side’s dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 victory over Egypt.

Messi now tops the scoring chart with eight goals, ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland, who have seven goals each. England captain Harry Kane remains firmly in contention with six goals as the tournament heads into the quarter-finals.

With Argentina, France, Norway and England all through to the last eight, the race for the Golden Boot remains wide open, setting up an exciting battle among four of the world’s leading forwards in the remaining matches of the tournament. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.