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The number of assists by a player is considered in the case of a
tie for goals scored. If players are tied on both counts, the
winner is decided by who played the fewest minutes.
England captain Harry Kane bagged the prize at the 2018 World
Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals and led his team to the
semi-finals. Below is an overview of contenders in the race for
top scorer at the 2022 World Cup:
ALVARO MORATA
* The Atletico Madrid marksman scored in all three of Spain's
Group E games, including one off the bench against 2014
champions Germany.
* Morata, who was edged out of the starting lineup by Marco
Asensio in his side's first two World Cup games, set up Spain's
fifth goal in their 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica before getting
off the mark himself to round off a one-sided opener.
* He put Luis Enrique's team ahead in their final group game but
the 2010 champions were beaten as Japan staged their second
stunning turnaround of the tournament to surge into the last 16
in top spot.
KYLIAN MBAPPE
* France's talisman failed to find the net as Tunisia recorded a
famous upset over Les Bleus in their final Group D match.
* The 23-year-old scored against Australia in his side's opener
and bagged a second-half double against Denmark as France booked
their knockout spot.
* He could add to that as his country face off against Poland in
the last 16. Poland's all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski
will also be looking to better his count of just one so far.
MARCUS RASHFORD
* The England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World Cup
campaign in Qatar.
* Rashford's place in the squad was uncertain a few months ago
due to form and fitness, but the Manchester United forward has
moved up the Golden Boot standings after he netted twice in
England's rout of a Gareth Bale-led Wales side.
* Rashford's team mates Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (both
Manchester City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling
(Chelsea) and Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) also featured
on the scoresheet during the group stage.
CODY GAKPO
* The Dutch forward has managed to find the net regularly in
Qatar so far, as the Netherlands progressed to the last 16 after
finishing top of Group A.
* The 23-year-old Gakpo has been influential in his club PSV
Eindhoven's run to the Europa League knockout stages and has
been the subject of transfer speculation with top European clubs
said to be vying for his signature when next summer's transfer
window opens.
LIONEL MESSI
* The Argentina great is playing in what he has said is probably
his last World Cup. The 35-year-old opened his account by
burying a spot kick in a shock Group C loss to Saudi Arabia,
before scoring and assisting Enzo Fernandez in an
emotionally-charged win over Mexico.
* The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has enjoyed a trophy-laden
career at club level, and his fans around the world are hoping
he can finally help deliver a World Cup for his country this
time around.
* Messi's rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal will also be
eyeing the Golden Boot after becoming the first player to score
in five World Cups when he netted against Ghana in their Group H
opener.
BRUNO FERNANDES
* Portugal's run in the World Cup in Qatar has been clouded
somewhat by the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and
his acrimonious departure from Manchester United.
* But his erstwhile club team mate 28-year-old Bruno Fernandes
has stepped out of Ronaldo's shadow by scoring twice against
Uruguay after setting up two goals in Portugal's 3-2 win against
Ghana.
ENNER VALENCIA
* Ecuador's all-time top scorer, nicknamed "Superman" at home,
scored the first two goals of the World Cup in their opening
match against hosts Qatar at the Al Bayt stadium as the South
Americans ran out winners.
* Valencia added a third in a deserved 1-1 draw against the
Netherlands, but will not be able to improve his tally as
Ecuador failed to reach the knockout stage after losing 2-1 to
Senegal to finish third in Group A.
WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS*
PLAYER TEAM GOALS ASSISTS GAMES MINUTES
Alvaro Morata Spain 3 1 3 126
Kylian Mbappe France 3 1 3 207
Marcus Rashford England 3 0 3 107
Cody Gakpo Netherlands 3 0 3 253
Enner Valencia Ecuador 3 0 3 257
Bruno Fernandes Portugal 2 2 2 180
Lionel Messi Argentina 2 1 3 270
Bukayo Saka England 2 0 2 149
Cho Gue-sung South Korea 2 0 3
196
Olivier Giroud France 2 0 2 151
Andrej Kramaric Croatia 2 0 3 208
Ferran Torres Spain 2 0 3 144
Breel
Embolo Switzerland 0 238
2 3
Richarlison Brazil 2 0 2 152
* Stats as of Dec. 2
(Compiled by Siddharth K and Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by
Milla Nissi, Ken Ferris and Hugh Lawson)
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