Who can beat Harry Kane to the World Cup Golden Boot?

Harry Kane’s dream of winning the Golden Boot is still burning strong despite failing to score against Belgium, but could Sunday end in further disappointment for the Spurs star?

Kane – on six goals – came close to adding to his tally against Croatia in the semi-finals, hitting the post thanks to an astonishing save by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic from point-blank range. He also had England’s best chance against Belgium on Saturday, but sent a shot just wide after Raheem Sterling teed him up just inside the box.

After the match against Belgium, Kane said: “It shows we had a very good group stage and scored a lot of goals.

“Obviously I’m disappointed I couldn’t get a goal in the last few games but that’s football. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn’t.

“We’ll see what happens tomorrow: if I get it, it’ll be something I’ll be very proud of.”

Romelu Lukaku was more heavily involved in the Belgian build-up play against England but was unable to find the net himself, leaving him on five goals for the tournament.

Pre-tournament favourites for the Golden Boot, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, finished well out of the race. Despite an impressive hat-trick, Ronaldo grabbed four, the same as Denis Cheryshev, but Messi reflected Argentina’s wider struggles by scoring only once. Luis Suarez and Neymar, with who he has played alongside recently, both scored twice.

Despite coming into the tournament in excellent form – just the 41 goals for Spurs last season – Kane underwhelmed from open play and may come to regret his relative profligacy, though he is almost certain to finish top of the scoring league. Netting just once from open play, with two from penalties and two after free kicks into the box, he failed to provide any trademark goals.

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Kylian Mbappe, though, might not be willing to let the chance to finish top go without a fight. Though he will no doubt be prioritising the efforts of the team to win the World Cup, the breakout star could crown an excellent season for Paris Saint-Germain by scoring three goals to level with Kane and claim the title.

Antoine Griezmann might also consider himself not yet quite out of the running, also needing three goals.

For Croatia, their top goalscorers going into the final against France are Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic with two each (both have an assist), but given he would require four goals to claim the title, it seems that if nobody from the French side is able to dislodge Kane, then nobody else will be able to finish top.

Kane might not be celebrating – yet – but he probably will be on Sunday evening.