A Golden Boot race for the ages – but who will come out on top?

It is fast becoming a Golden Boot race for the ages.

Lionel Messi leads the way with five goals from two games. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are second in the standings with four goals each.

This is only the second time in World Cup history where three players have scored four or more times after two matches – and the first since since 1954.

It was another extraordinary few hours of goalscoring from some of the best forwards football has seen.

Messi was up first – breaking the World Cup goals record with a double for Argentina against Austria.

Mbappe responded in kind with two goals in France’s weather-delayed victory against Iraq on his 100th international appearance.

And it was Haaland’s turn soon after, scoring twice as Norway beat Senegal to qualify for the last 32. Not a bad start to his own World Cup career.

Anything one can do, the others can do better. It has that feel about it at the moment – and this is before Harry Kane has the chance to add to his opening-day double as England face Ghana on Tuesday.