Kylian Mbappe has won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup - snatching the individual accolade from Lionel Messi after his sensational final hat-trick.
Messi and Argentina lifted the trophy after winning a dramatic game on penalties with both superstars scoring their spot-kicks. But Mbappe did leave with the Golden Boot after one of the World Cup's greatest ever individual performance.
Going into the showpiece game at Lusail Stadium, Messi and Mbappe were locked together on five goals for the tournament. Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez were on four apiece going into the game, leaving both with an outside chance of claiming the award.
Messi put Argentina in front from the penalty spot after Ousmane Dembele was ruled to have fouled Angel Di Maria. He looked certain to win the Golden Boot at that stage and still led the race when Mbappe scored a penalty of his own as the Argentinian had more assists.
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But Mbappe completed a quick-fire turnaround with his second just moments later to draw France level in stunning circumstances and put himself into the lead. At that stage, Messi's hopes were dashed but he scored again in extra-time to again move ahead only for Mbappe to equalise from the penalty spot and have the final say.
Mbappe's third meant he finished on eight goals with Messi on seven. If not for Mbappe's third, Messi would've won the Golden Boot due to providing more assists - the tie-breaker when two players finish level.
Mbappe was the front-runner for the award after a fast start to the competition. He scored against Australia in their opening game then twice in a 2-1 win over Denmark.
His last-16 double against Poland took his tally up to five and at that stage the Golden Boot looked a certainty but he failed to score against England or Morocco as Messi drew level.
However, Mbappe's sensational double in a matter of moments turned the final on its head and looked set to earn him his first World Cup Golden Boot only for there to be one more twist in the tale.
Messi achieved another remarkable feat with his two final goals by becoming the first player to score in every stage of the competition. He got off the mark with a penalty after just 10 minutes in their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C game.
He found the net again in their 2-0 win over Mexico to get back on track, and whilst he did not get on the scoresheet against Poland - the only game he failed to find the net - Argentina booked their spot in the knockout stages. Messi again delivered the opener against Australia with a well-placed finish.
He again scored from the spot against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and Croatia in the semi-finals before delivering from 12 yards yet again in the final after Ousmane Dembele brought down Angel Di Maria.
Mbappe's late show, however, denied Messi a World Cup Golden Boot to add to the incredible list of individual honours on his glittering CV.
