Mbappe wins second Golden Boot with 10 goals as Spain sweep World Cup awards

Spain edge Argentina in extra-time final

Spain won their first World Cup since 2010, beating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, breaking a deadlock in front of 80,000 fans. Argentina, the defending champions, were limited to a single shot on target in the 118th minute, as Spain's midfield control stifled Lionel Messi and his teammates.

It was a goal scored by 47 million people - it wasn't even mine or from the 26 players. It was destined to happen; it was meant to be a winner.

Mbappe claims historic second Golden Boot

Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot for the second time, becoming the first player to achieve the feat in back-to-back World Cups. The France forward scored 10 goals in eight matches, edging out Argentina's Lionel Messi (8 goals, 4 assists) after netting twice in France's 6-4 third-place playoff defeat to England. Mbappe's tally is the highest at a single tournament since Gerd Muller's 10 for West Germany in 1970. Only Just Fontaine (13 in 1958) and Sandor Kocsis (11 in 1954) have scored more in one edition. Mbappe also moved to 22 career World Cup goals, one ahead of Messi in the all-time standings. His partnership with Michael Olise, who provided five assists, was instrumental; Mbappe did not lead the scoring race until his final game.

England's Jude Bellingham and Norway's Erling Haaland each scored seven goals, while Ousmane Dembele and Harry Kane finished with six. Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal netted five times, and Ismaila Sarr, Julian Quinones and Vinicius Junior each scored four.

Spain dominate individual awards

Spain midfielder Rodri received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. He started all eight of Spain's matches, completing more passes and covering more distance than any other player, despite not recording a goal or assist. The 30-year-old returned to top form after an injury-disrupted two seasons at Manchester City, where he made only 38 appearances following an ACL rupture in September 2024. Rodri was also named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024, which Spain won. Messi took the Silver Ball and Mbappe the Bronze.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon won the Golden Glove with a record seven clean sheets, surpassing the previous mark of five shared by several goalkeepers, including Iker Casillas in 2010. He is the second Spanish goalkeeper to claim the award after Casillas. Defender Pau Cubarsi, born after January 1, 2005, was named Young Player of the Tournament.

Mbappe's path to the Golden Boot

Mbappe's 10-goal campaign featured braces against Senegal and Iraq in the group stage, a strike against Sweden in the last 32, a penalty winner against Paraguay in the last 16, and a goal against Morocco in the quarter-finals. He then scored twice in the third-place match against England, with both goals assisted by Michael Olise. The Real Madrid forward did not lead the scoring race until that final game, overtaking Messi for the first time.