Messi Retakes Golden Boot Lead With Two Assists as Argentina Eye Historic Back-to-Back Title, Spain Chase Record Unbeaten Run

Lionel Messi moved back to the top of the Golden Boot race after setting up both Argentina goals in their semi-final win over England.

Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe are level on eight goals each for the tournament, but assists are used as the first tiebreaker for the Golden Boot. Messi's two assists against England took his tally to four for the tournament, one more than Mbappe's three, putting him ahead heading into the final.

Argentina now have a chance to make history of their own in the final. Only Brazil, in 1958 and 1962, have won back-to-back World Cups. A win over Spain on Sunday would put Argentina in that same company.

Spain arrive at the final on a 37-match unbeaten run, matching Italy's all-time record for the longest unbeaten streak by a national team. Their last defeat came in a friendly against Colombia in March 2024. A win in the final would see Spain move past Italy and set a new all-time record.