SUMMER has been saved as the Women’s World Cup is finally underway and that means another chance for someone to take win the Golden Boot.
Megan Rapinoe fired USA to a World Cup win in 2019 at the expense of the Netherlands.
And it turned out to be the perfect tournament for the American star as she also collected the Golden Boot with six goals.
But who will take home the prestigious prize this time round?
Women’s World Cup Golden Boot standings
American idol Sophia Smith has raced ahead following her double against Vietnam.
But English star Georgia Stanway got off the mark with her retaken penalty in the Haiti win.
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- Sophia Smith – USA – 2
- Georgia Stanway – England – 1
- Ramona Bachmann – Switzerland – 1
- Hannah Wilkinson – New Zealand – 1
- Seraina Piubel – Switzerland – 1
- Aitana Bonmati – Spain – 1
- Steph Catley – Australia – 1
- Lindsey Horan – USA – 1
Who are the contenders for the Women’s World Cup golden boot?
USWNT’s Alex Morgan is a likely candidate after netting 15 goals in 17 appearances in last season’s NWSL.
The 34-year-old striker has 208 caps for USA Women’s National Team and has scored an eye-opening 121 goals for her country.
Alexandra Popp – the Germany and Wolfsburg striker heartbreakingly missed out on the Euro’s 2022 final against England after picking up an injury in the warm-up – where she was level on six goals with Beth Mead going into the final.
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She went on to win the Frauen-Bundesliga golden boot after scoring 15 this season and will be looking to add to her 62-goal tally for Germany.
Rachel Daly – this season’s WSL golden boot winner with 22 goals for Aston Villa, beating Sam Kerr and Khadija Shaw to the trophy.
The English striker who surprisingly played left back in the 2022 Euros – will hope to be in Sarina Wiegman’s starting XI as her aerial presence and threat in front of goal will no doubt leave her in high contention for this award.
Megan Rapinoe won the golden boot award at the 2019 Women’s World Cup where the USA were crowned champions for the second consecutive tournament.
Rapinoe, 38, has announced she will retire at the end of next season after a stellar career receiving accolades such as the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Women’s Player in 2019.
Mallory Swanson was the anticipated replacement for Rapinoe until she suffered a torn patella tendon in a friendly against Ireland in April – shattering her World Cup dreams.
22-year-old Sophia Smith has a big role to play now in the USA’s quest for their third consecutive World Cup win.
The Portland Thorns striker already has 12 goals in 30 appearances and her goal contributions helped her country qualify for this World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.
Who are the past winners of the Women’s World Cup golden boot?
2019: Megan Rapinoe – 6 (USA)
2015: Celia Sasic – 6 (Germany)
2011: Homare Sawa – 5 (Japan)
2007: Marta – 7 (Brazil)
2003: Birgit Prinz – 7 (Germany)
1999: Sissi – 7 (Brazil) & Sun Wen – 7 (China)
1995: Ann-Kristin Aarones – 6 (Norway)
1991: Michelle Akers – 10 (USA)
What are the Women’s World Cup groups?
Group A
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Philippines
- Switzerland
Group B
- Australia
- Republic of Ireland
- Nigeria
- Canada
Group C
- Spain
- Costa Rica
- Zambia
- Japan
Group D
Group E
- USA
- Vietnam
- The Netherlands
- Portugal
Group F
- France
- Jamaica
- Brazil
- Panama
Group G
- Sweden
- South Africa
- Italy
- Argentina
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Group H
- Germany
- Morocco
- Columbia
- Korea Republic
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
