World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Highlights: Golden Boot Race, France’s Form, Argentina Defeats Cape Verde

The latest round of international fixtures has intensified the competition for the tournament’s Golden Boot, highlighted France’s striking form, and seen Argentina edge past Cape Verde with a narrow victory. In a tightly contested match, Lionel Messi scored the only goal as Argentina secured a 1‑0 win, while France delivered a commanding performance that further cemented their status as a leading contender in the group stage.

Messi’s goal, a low‑driven finish from the edge of the box, gave Argentina a three‑point boost and kept their qualification hopes alive. Across the same matchday, France displayed scintillating attacking play, registering multiple goals against their opponent and showcasing the depth of their squad, with Kylian Mbappé adding to his tally. The surge in goals from both Messi and Mbappé has tightened the race for the Golden Boot, which now sees several players within a single goal of the lead.

Looking ahead, Argentina will face a tougher test in their next encounter, while France’s momentum positions them as favorites in their upcoming clash. The evolving Golden Boot race adds an extra layer of intrigue to the remaining fixtures, as players vie for the top scorer accolade while their national teams continue to chase qualification.