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Jean Catuffe / Getty Images
Harry Kane leads Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku from a goal in the Golden Boot race of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Kane became Russia's most prolific player after scoring a hat-trick to help England beat Panama 6 to 1 on Sunday. His goals propelled the Three Lions to consecutive wins and a place in the round of 16.
That's a similar story for Lukaku, who won a brace while the Red Devils beat Tunisia 5-2 on Saturday. The Manchester United man had already scored twice in a 3-0 win over Panama, but a possible injury could prevent Lukaku from raising his score when Belgium will face Kane and England for first place in Group G on Thursday.
Ronaldo could have the lead of gold to his credit by then, while Portugal will face Iran in Saransk on Tuesday. Group B's top spot is in Selecao's sights, but Iran's solid defense will be hard to break.
Top scorers
1. Harry Kane, England: 5
2. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium: 4
3. Cristiano Ronaldo: 4
4. Denis Cheryshev, Russia: 3
5. Diego Costa, Spain: 3
6. Artem Dzyuba, Russia: 2
7. Mile Jedinak, Australia: 2
8. Luka Modric, Croatia: 2
9. Eden Hazard, Belgium: 2
10. John Stones, England: 2
The complete list is available by WhoScored.com.
Kane put a marker on Ronaldo
Kane has not lost two games against a favorable opposition. Instead, the prolific 24-year-old has reminded everyone of his sense of scoring and goal appetite.
Fresh out of a brace against Tunisia, including a winner of stoppage time, Kane was better off at the Nizhny Novgorod stadium. The Ace of Tottenham Hotspur has dispatched two penalties with typically cool efficiency.
Being effective with his chances has defined Kane's last turns:
OptaJoe @OptaJoe
5 – Harry Kane is currently the top scorer in the 2018 World Cup with five goals, scoring five shots on goal in the tournament. Midas. #ENGPAN #ENG #WorldCup https://t.co/xcOEEoWOE0
Kane's towering form was also rewarded with a good fortune when he inadvertently completed his hat trick after a shot by Ruben Loftus-Cheek hit him on the back of his foot.
When a talented finisher is lucky for him, you can be sure that his score will not end for some time.
Kane's form in front of the goal at this level has already seen him surpass one of the true greats of the game:
Duncan Alexander @oilysailor
World Cup goals
Lionel Messi: five in 1444 minutes
Harry Kane: five in 152 minutes
He also set a pace that his predecessors could not handle:
More goals from Kane will be welcome for a team from England who needs a win over Belgium to secure their first place.
The danger can pick up the scoring slack
Belgium's chances of beating the Three Lions will be lessened if a foot injury prevents Lukaku from being at his best. The attacker suffered from "external ligamentous lesions" against Tunisia, according to Martinez, Sky Sports News.
Martinez also said that Naples striker, Dries Mertens, was suffering from a calf problem, while Hazard's ankle took a hit.
The latter must be 100 percent for Thursday because he can take over if Lukaku is absent or late. The danger to class and composure in front of the goal to be prolific anywhere anywhere along the front line.
He proved so much by scoring twice Saturday. Hazard is the first to come from the penalty spot, but the second shows the central quality of Chelsea's # 10 game, when he controls a ball over the top before shaking the defenders and sliding the ball into a net desert.
Lukaku got the goals, but Hazard remained the most influential player in his country in the last third:
Match of the day @BBCMOTD
Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 16 goals in her last 15 games for Belgium (nine goals, seven assists).
? @BBCOne
? https://t.co/V1j729hyMh
#worldcup #bbcworldcup #BEL #TUN #BELTUN https://t.co/m06GFnMXRg
The danger has been shifted from the flank and through the middle to times for Chelsea. It's a ploy that Martinez should take into account, even though natural striker Michy Batshuayi scored after replacing Lukaku on Saturday.
Ronaldo and Diego Costa will continue to score
Ronaldo is behind Kane, but his closest competition in Group B is Diego Costa. The Spanish striker took his counter to three goals after scoring the winning goal to beat Iran.
Costa finally manages to reach this level after failing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Atletico Madrid man is supplied by the largest contingent of tournament playmakers, including David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Isco.
Costa will keep his race in front of goal when La Roja face Morocco on Tuesday with first place in sight.
Ronaldo is also a good bet to continue to score after seeing Morocco with an impressive header. The most deadly shooter in Europe has brought his UEFA Champions League form for Real Madrid in this tournament.
Ronaldo may have trouble staying in the goals against Iran.FRANCISCO LEONG / Getty Images
However, Ronaldo will not find it easy to break through an Iranian defense that is well coached by coach Carlos Queiroz. The nation set a World Cup record by keeping 12 white sheets during qualifying and kept Morocco scoreless in their opening group match.
Queiroz has worked with Ronaldo for United and Portugal, so he will likely have a plan in place to keep the 33-year-old calm.
Some of the top scorers of the competition still have a lot to play in Week 3, familiar names will continue to dominate the race for the Golden Boot.
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