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RACE FOR THE PRIZE

In 10 of the past 12 World Cups, six goals has been the standard to bag yourself the Golden Boot. Usually a goal per game will suffice. In fact, on two occasions (in 2006 and 2010) a mere five strikes has been enough. Yet a quick glance at the current 2026 Geopolitics World Cup Golden Boot standings after most teams have played two games sees Lionel Messi top of the tree with five goals already from his two outings, having broken Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament scoring record in the process. The Argentinian’s latest two goals came in a 2-0 victory over Austria in which neither Argentina nor Messi did anything of note other than score – aside from the great man shanking an early penalty miles wide, which is becoming quite the common occurrence for Messi. Think how many World Cup goals he would have if he could beat a goalkeeper from 12 yards (answer: 21, three more than he has).

Lurking just behind are the pretenders to Messi’s golden throne, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, who between them are tearing up Group I with four goals apiece. Both the Norwegian and French frontmen have been donated at least one goal by careless Iraqi and Senegalese defenders so far, but have looked razor-sharp up top and will soon meet in a tasty decider to see who tops the group. Both, you suspect, will have designs on ensuring Messi does not hold the World Cup scoring record for long, with Mbappé already level with Klose, two behind the Argentinian. Haaland, in his debut World Cup, is already one goal behind legends like Raul, Romario and Roger Milla, who only managed five across their careers.

The Fifa suits must be loving the fact all the big sexy names are firing on their global stage. It’s as if Big Gianni himself wrote the script, beaming in the knowledge that goals are a universally beloved currency, a useful tool in helping brush all the unpleasantness under the carpet. Even aside from the aforementioned trio, Harry Kane has bagged a double in his only game, Vinícius Júnior has two for the tournament so far and two of the host nations have superstar strikers (of sorts) in the shape of USA USA USA figurehead Folarin Balogun and Canadian ace Jonathan David. There is a significant striking name missing from this list, a longtime rival of Messi’s, but Football Daily is struggling to remember who that might be. Gah.

Consider that this unique GWC will give top strikers an extra game in which to fill their scoring boots and maybe Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in a single World Cup, which has stood since 1958, might come under threat. It is possible, likely even, we will get a player in double figures for the first time since Gerd Müller hit 10 in Mexico 1970. What seems certain is this is a golden boot race for the ages, contested by the best players on the planet. For all the cynicism and moral fatigue surrounding this GWC, that is something most lovers of football can get on board with. More goals please, guys.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE

Join Sarah Rendell for live updates from Portugal 1-0 Uzbekistan (1pm EDT/ 6pm BST), before Rob Smyth guides you through England 3-1 Ghana (4pm EDT/9pm BST). Later, Jeff Rueter is in the hot seat for Panama 0-2 Croatia (7pm EDT/midnight BST), and we wrap up another big GWC day with Martin Pegan on duty for Colombia 2-2 DR Congo (10pm EDT/3am BST).

RECOMMENDED BUYING

We have some Football Weekly Live events coming, folks. If you want to see Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning and other top, top pod squad members in the flesh, you can do so in Dublin on 1 September or in that there London on 9 September. And on 16 July, Football Weekly: Live in New York City is sold out, but livestream tickets are still available.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We feel very honoured to be here with the president, it is an honour for ⁠us to stand before you and for the whole world to see the ​beautiful side of Mexico” – yes, it the magic of the GWC, as Karla ‌Gómez, owner of viral sensation Merlin the duck, and her family meet the Mexican president. “He has been a symbol of the [GWC], a symbol of what Mexican families stand for, of who we are as Mexican families, and that is above all else, ⁠what the world is seeing from Mexico,” cheered Claudia Sheinbaum after meeting Merlin herself.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

ITV’s Sam Matterface on Egypt scoring against New Zealand: ‘They’ll be celebrating that goal all the way from Cairo to Giza!’ Coming soon (hopefully): England celebrate a goal all the way from London to Heathrow airport” – Keith Razey.

May I also wade into English v Spanish GWC viewing debate (Football Daily letters passim). I’m Team Telemundo, owing to existing subscriptions and a well-founded antipathy towards Fox Corp. While I can’t understand a thing, I was delighted to see journeyman striker Roque Santa Cruz acting as a pundit the other night. It also got me intrigued to know equivalent figures in each language’s coverage: I’d love to know from our Spanish-speaking friends if there are Telemundo Roy Keanes, Mark Chapmans, Kelly Cates, Ian Wrights, Andy Townsends or (shudder) Robbie Savages out there. ¡Te deseo lo mejor! “ – Martin Clifford.

As a Spurs fan I am keener than ever for the GWC to be over and the new season of the Premier League to commence. However, if you call up the table for the 2026-27 season, it is listed in alphabetical order and by this sorting method, Tottenham already sit bottom. I never thought that I would find a reason to regret West Ham being relegated” – Greg Wynn.

I fear James Vortkamp-Tong’s missive (yesterday’s Football Daily letters) is a familiar spin on an email seen here many moons ago. Possibly about Watford. However, like Dad’s Army repeats, it is admittedly more amusing than newer material. Can’t beat the classics” – Andrew Taylor.

If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day is … Keith Razey. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. 

RECOMMENDED LOOKING

It’s David Squires on … the big names putting on a show at the GWC.

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

Get your ears around the latest World Cup Daily podcast as Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos and Mark Langdon try to conjure new superlatives for Lionel Messi.

HISTORY LESSON

The World Cup aficionados among you will be familiar with the Disgrace of Gijón, the 1982 World Cup match in which Austria and West Germany conspired to cook up a 1-0 win for the latter that benefited both teams and dumped Algeria out of the tournament, prompting Fifa to insist upon simultaneous final group games in future tournaments. Now, 44 years later, could Austria return the favour to Algeria by concocting another mutually beneficial result? Algeria’s 2-1 win over Jordan, coupled with Austria’s defeat by Argentina, leaves both Algeria and Austria level on three points in Group J. With four points almost certain to be enough to qualify for the last 32 in third place – and Algeria’s clash with Austria the final group game to take place – both nations will know exactly what they need to be among the best third-placed teams, with a draw likely to benefit both. Could we witness the Conspiracy of Kansas City?

NEWS, BITS AND BOBS

The former Yugoslavia and Atlético Madrid striker Rade Bogdanovic has sparked controversy on Serbian television after saying that “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” during Belgium’s clash with Iran. He followed it up by saying “I’m really not racist”.

The French media outlet L’Équipe has apologised to Jérémy Doku after it criticised the Belgium winger for saying he would leave the GWC to be present at the birth of his first child. Doku made it to London in time to be with his wife, Shireen, who gave birth to a boy called Praise ⁠on Monday.

Thomas Tuchel has called for an improvement from England’s defence against Ghana, saying his players “dropped too deep” in the 4-2 win over Croatia. “If you just look at our goal that we conceded we played a back seven formation, which is just not us,” he barked.

Tuchel also wants more from Jude Bellingham, who will become England’s youngest player to reach 50 caps if he features against Ghana. “Jude was fully committed to the team idea and play[ed] in full cohesion with everyone. He was very important, super reliable,” chirped Tuchel of Bellingham’s Croatia display.

And flamin’ Australia defender Jason Geria says there will be no “truce” with Paraguay in their final group match in San Francisco, despite the fact both nations will surely progress with a draw.

RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING

How do you do fellow kids? Yes, there’s now a TikBook account with all things of a Big Website sporting focus. So, if you’re there, you know what to do. 

STILL WANT MORE?

The Surge: not a new ride at Alton Towers, but a way to describe England’s display of second-half dynamism against Croatia. Barney Ronay straps in.

Meanwhile in the England camp, the FA has been playing the players’ favourite songs on vinyl. David Hytner reports from a squad who are clearly in the groove right now, playing Britpop football.

In news that may tempt Luis Suárez out of the stands, Antoine Semenyo and Ghana are aiming to emulate the Black Stars’ 2010 vintage at GWC.

Despite missing an early penalty, Lionel Messi’s ascent to the World Cup scoring summit felt inevitable, writes Pablo Iglesias Maurer.

Alex Zendejas has yet to feature for the USA USA USA at GWC, but the surprise call-up could get a chance against Turkey, according to Jeff Rueter.

And Scotland’s ever-popular Tartan Army have proven a fun presence across the pond this summer and the addition of such nations is aiding the case for a 48-team event, reckons Philipp Lahm.

MEMORY LANE

On this day in 1990, the Colombia keeper René Higuita came wandering out of goal with his side 1-0 down to Cameroon in extra time. Roger Milla made him pay, nicking the ball away from Higuita and racing through to score his second goal of the game. Cameroon went on to win the World Cup last-16 game 2-1, before giving England an almighty scare in the quarter-finals. “It was a mistake as big as a house,” Higuita later admitted ruefully.

BEYOND THE GWC

Argentina forward Julián Alvarez has had his head turned and wants to ⁠leave Atlético Madrid, after interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona ⁠and PSG. “I ​spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with, ⁠and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil ⁠my dream,” he whooped. “It’s ‌not the time ‌to talk about this, but I also can’t ‌hide it. I try to be an honest person.”

Could England’s Morgan Rogers move one spot up the nascent Premier League table? Very possibly now that Arsenal have made the Aston Villa playmaker their No 1 summer transfer target.

And new Rangers manager Derek McInnes could face a touchline ban for calling Celtic’s late penalty award against Motherwell “disgusting” – while he was still in charge at Hearts.

STORMY WEATHER