Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup finalAt last, it is official. Following Argentina’s extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, France’s Kylian Mbappe has won the Golden Boot.It is the second time that the 27-year-old has won the award, having also finished as the top scorer at the 2022 edition in Qatar. In total, Mbappe has now racked up 22 World Cup goals across his career, one more than Lionel Messi in the all-time standings. It was a dramatic race, with five players — Mbappe, Messi, Norway’s Erling Haaland, England’s Jude Bellingham and team-mate Harry Kane — all in contention throughout. The eventual winner Mbappe did not lead the way until his final game, scoring twice in a 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff on Saturday to take him above Messi for the first time.He also became the first player to score 10 in one edition of the tournament since Gerd Muller of West Germany in 1970. Just Fontaine holds the record for most goals in one World Cup, scoring 13 times in the 1958 edition.Here is how Mbappe did it…How did he score his goals?Mbappe’s historic run hinged on lethal finishing and lightning quick runs in-behind.As we can see from his shot map below, he struck twice from outside of the penalty area, but was also dangerous when he could dart into the penalty area from the left-hand side.The Real Madrid forward enjoyed the freedom afforded to him by manager Didier Deschamps. He has linked up especially well with Michael Olise, who provided five assists for him throughout the competition.