Lionel Messi is set to face England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday with an opportunity to take sole possession of the tournament’s top-scorer race. Multiple outlets report that Messi and Kylian Mbappé are level on eight goals each heading into the match. If Messi scores and Mbappé does not add to his tally in parallel play, Messi can move clear in the golden boot standings. The reports also note that Messi is the all-time leading scorer in World Cups, with 21 career goals. The matchup places Messi’s semifinal performance within the broader context of the tournament awards race, while also highlighting his long-running scoring record at World Cup finals. Overall, the coverage focuses on the immediate impact of the England semifinal on the golden boot leaderboard, given the tie between Messi and Mbappé.