Messi, Mbappé and Haaland each net two goals as World Cup Golden Boot race heats up

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé each added two goals to their World Cup tallies on Monday, while Norway's Erling Haaland scored a brace in a 3-2 victory over Senegal. Haaland's goals came in the early part of the second half, helping Norway secure the win.

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said through an interpreter, "He is the best striker. He is not playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway." Teammate Kristian Thorstvedt described Haaland as a player who thrives in big matches.

Messi's second-half double moved him to 18 World Cup goals, making him the tournament's all-time leading scorer, after Argentina defeated Austria in Arlington, Texas. Mbappé's two goals against Iraq in Philadelphia brought him level with Miroslav Klose at 16 goals.

Haaland, playing in his first World Cup, now has four tournament goals, joining the race with Messi and Mbappé for the Golden Boot. He noted, "I don’t know, it’s my specialty to score goals. I’m just really good at scoring goals, and I’m quite lucky."

The three players have combined for 13 goals in the competition so far, prompting Iraq coach Graham Arnold to describe the Golden Boot contest as "a very good competition" among them.