FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
In an expanded World Cup designed to spread soccer's attention more widely than ever before, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have immediately brought the brilliance that FIFA, broadcasters and the American public have been waiting for. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and young Spanish talent Lamine Jamal are playing equally important roles in the tournament.
In the United States, the superstar figure has a special influence, and this is reflected in this World Cup. Messi has responded to expectations in the best possible way, becoming the top scorer in World Cup history after just the first two matches of the tournament.
The Argentine, who will soon turn 39, scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Algeria and continued his fine form on Monday. Despite missing a penalty, he scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Austria, taking his tally to 18. It is clear that Messi is keen to make the most of what is likely to be his final World Cup.
However, Mbappe is following closely behind. The French forward scored twice in the 3-1 win over Senegal and two more in the 3-0 win over Iraq, leaving him just two goals shy of breaking Messi's record.
After a difficult season, the 27-year-old Real Madrid player seems to have regained the smile and energy that characterizes him on the field.
Another name that is attracting attention is Lamin Jamal. Spain struggled without him in the goalless draw against Cape Verde, while his return to the lineup against Saudi Arabia created high expectations at the Atlanta stadium.
The 18-year-old rewarded the fans by scoring the first goal in Spain's convincing 4-0 victory. The Iberian team had settled the match in the first half, giving the coach the opportunity to replace Jamal, who played with the confidence and freedom of a footballer who has not yet felt the weight of national expectations.
When Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006, Jamal was still a long way from professional football. Now, two decades later, the Spanish talent looks set to take up the baton for a new generation of stars.
Erling Haaland has also made an impressive start to his first World Cup adventure. The Norwegian has scored four goals in two matches, netting twice in both the 4-1 win over Iraq and the 3-2 win over Senegal.
On Friday, Haaland and Mbappe will face off directly when Norway and France discuss first place in Group I. In addition to the competition for points, the two attackers will also continue their rivalry for the top scorer.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane scored twice against Croatia, equalling England legend Gary Lineker's tally of 10 World Cup goals. The race for the Golden Boot is gaining more and more interest.
Four years ago, Messi and Mbappe dominated the tournament. The Frenchman finished as the top scorer with eight goals, one more than Messi, but it was the Argentine who lifted the trophy after a final in which Mbappe's hat-trick was not enough for France.
At this stage of the tournament, another final between Argentina and France seems a real possibility. However, this World Cup could also produce a new hero, in a country where the public naturally embraces the emergence of new talent./" Reuters ", adapted in Albanian by Pamfleti
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