The race for the Golden Boot in Europe during qualifying for the World Cup has been nothing short of spectacular. As we enter the play-offs, here is a look at the men who have dominated the scoresheets.
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1. Erling Haaland (Norway) – 16 Goals
Status: QUALIFIED The Manchester City star has been in a world of his own, equalling the all-time European record for a single qualifying campaign. His sensational hat-trick against Israel and a five-goal haul against Moldova were the highlights of a historic run.
- Goals against: Israel (5), Moldova (5), Italy (3), Estonia (2), Kazakhstan (1).
2. Marko Arnautović (Austria) – 8 Goals
Status: QUALIFIED The veteran forward became Austria’s all-time leading scorer during qualifying. His four-goal masterclass against San Marino saw him surpass Toni Polster’s long-standing record and secure Austria’s first World Cup spot since 1998.
- Goals against: San Marino (4), Cyprus (2), Norway (2).
3. Harry Kane (England) – 8 Goals
Status: QUALIFIED The England captain spearheaded Thomas Tuchel’s campaign, where the Three Lions won every game without conceding a single goal. Kane’s brace in the final match against Albania put the gloss on a flawless group stage.
- Goals against: Latvia (4), Albania (3), Serbia (1).
4. Memphis Depay (Netherlands) – 8 Goals
Status: QUALIFIED Memphis took over as the Oranje’s all-time top scorer during this qualifying period. His late winner in Lithuania was a defining moment of the campaign, ensuring the Dutch stayed ahead of a surging Poland side.
- Goals against: Lithuania (3), Turkey (2), Gibraltar (2), Montenegro (1).