World Cup 2022: Who could win the Golden Boot?

THE 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honours players compete for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.

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 line-up 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 in the 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 score as Tunisia recorded an 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 look to better his count of just one so far.

MARCUS RASHFORD

Rashford’s place in the squad was uncertain a few months ago, but the Manchester United forward has moved up the Golden Boot standings after he netted twice in England’s rout of Wales.

CODY GAKPO

The Dutch forward has scored regularly in Qatar so far as the Netherlands reached the last 16 by topping 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.

LIONEL MESSI

The 35-year-old Argentina great opened his account by burying a spot kick in a Group C loss to Saudi Arabia, before scoring and assisting Enzo Fernandez in a win over Mexico.

BRUNO FERNANDES

Portugal’s run in the World Cup in Qatar has been clouded somewhat by the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure from Manchester United.

But his erstwhile club teammate 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.