A Golden Boot race for the ages: Messi leads but Mbappé and Haaland in hot pursuit

The World Cup is witnessing a Golden Boot race for the ages, with three of football's biggest stars already scoring freely. Lionel Messi leads the standings with five goals from two matches, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are tied on four. This is only the second time in World Cup history that three players have scored four or more times after two games – the first since 1954.

Messi broke the all-time World Cup goals record with a double against Austria, taking his tally to 18 goals. Mbappé responded with two goals in France's win over Iraq on his 100th international appearance, equalling Miroslav Klose's former record of 16 goals. Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Senegal to reach the round of 32, becoming the sixth player to score multiple goals in each of his first two World Cup matches.

England striker Harry Kane, who scored a double against Ghana in his opener, will have a chance to add to his total on Tuesday. French football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Sport that the stars are chasing not just the Golden Boot but also the all-time record. "With the big stars, they want the ball all the time," he said.

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist noted that while Messi is the most gifted, Haaland is the best finisher. Former France defender Gael Clichy praised Mbappé's fearless generation. Mbappé himself downplayed the race, saying he focuses on helping the team. Norway manager Stale Solbakken backed Haaland, saying it's harder to win the Golden Boot playing for Norway. USA striker Folarin Balogun joked that the trio are "so inevitable".

The new 48-team format has boosted goal potential, and with only three players in history having scored double figures in a single World Cup – Just Fontaine, Gerd Muller and Sandor Kocsis – this tournament could see more join that elite club.