Messi draws level with Mbappe in the fight for World Cup Golden Boot
Both players have five goals with Giroud and Alvarez also in the race
Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal against Croatia by converting from the penalty spot. The Albiceleste No.10 now has five goals in Qatar, level with France's Kylian Mbappe in the fight for the Golden Boot.
It is the third penalty that Messi has converted at this World Cup, after the ones he scored against Saudi Arabia in the first game and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
The fight seems to be between Messi and Mbappé to win the Golden Boot, although Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez, with four each, are also in the fight.
With these numbers, Messi brings Argentina closer to the World Cup while approaching an almost unprecedented record in history: Winning the title, the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball for the best player at the finals.
That is something that has only happened once in history, 40 years ago. It was in Spain in 1982 when Italy's Paolo Rossi conquered the triple crown to which Messi now aspires.
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