In today's just-concluded semi-final, Argentina turned the tables on England, winning 2:1 and successfully advancing to the World Cup final.
Although Messi did not score, he provided two key assists, leading his team to advance and also overtaking Mbappe in the golden boot race.
As of the end of the semi-finals, the latest golden boot standings are as follows:
- Messi: 8 goals 4 assists
- Mbappe: 8 goals 3 assists
On one side is the final, on the other side is the third place match.
Many people have begun to celebrate in advance: "Messi's golden boot is secure."
But I still believe in Mbappe.
It's not sentimental, but because he still holds three very important cards.
01 | The third place match is often a stage that strikers prefer
Many fans feel that the third place match is meaningless.
But for forwards vying for the golden boot, it is often the most comfortable game.
The reason is simple——the match environment is completely different.
The final means championship stakes, both sides will defend to the utmost, and every mistake could decide the championship.
In contrast, the third place match has no championship pressure, and the two teams usually play more openly, with a faster pace and more scoring opportunities.
Historically, World Cup third place matches often feature high scores and goal-fests, with many legendary strikers having racked up impressive stats here.
France will face England, which also regrettably missed the final, and both teams have luxurious attacking lines, meaning the match is unlikely to be conservative.
For Mbappe, known for his speed and impact, this type of match environment is exactly suitable for his performance.
02 | France's biggest goal is to help Mbappe win the golden boot
Although the dream of the championship has been shattered, France still has a goal.
The whole team still has a common mission——to help captain Mbappe win the World Cup golden boot.
As of the end of the semi-finals, Mbappe has scored his 20th goal in World Cup history.
If he continues to score in the third place match, he not only has the chance to overtake Messi but will also continue to improve his World Cup historical data, laying the foundation for pursuing more records in the future.
Therefore, it is foreseeable that the French team will try to give possession to Mbappe as much as possible.
Set-pieces, penalties, finishing counterattacks……
Whenever there's an opportunity, the first choice is likely to be him.
In contrast, Messi in the final will need to balance organization, linking play, and controlling rhythm while facing Spain's high-intensity overall defense.
Meanwhile, Mbappe has only one task: to put the ball in the net.
03 | Playing the match first is an inherent advantage
There’s another detail that many people tend to overlook.
- Third place match (France vs England): July 19, 5:00 AM (UTC+8)
- Final (Argentina vs Spain): July 20, 3:00 AM (UTC+8)
Mbappe will be the first to play.
If he scores a goal, or even nets a brace, all the pressure will shift to Messi.
In the final, Messi will not only have to think about how to help Argentina win the championship but will also need to constantly monitor whether his golden boot data is being overtaken.
This "must respond" psychological pressure is often magnified on a stage like the final.
On the other hand, after finishing his match, Mbappe just needs to quietly await the final result.
This proactive advantage can sometimes be more important than one might expect.
In conclusion
Messi's two assists in the semi-final once again demonstrated what it means to be a true big-game player.
And Mbappe is far from out of this competition.
One is chasing the World Cup championship.
The other is pursuing the World Cup golden boot.
One is chasing team glory, while the other is chasing historical records.
Two different paths, yet both could be etched into World Cup history.
So, I still believe——the golden boot race is far from over.
Who do you think will ultimately lift the golden boot in this World Cup?
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