Auburn (Alabama): Lionel Messi made an immediate impact on his return from injury as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 in their final World Cup warm-up match on Tuesday, boosting confidence ahead of their title defence.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner started on the bench and was introduced in the final quarter of the match, but needed only minutes to get on the scoresheet. Messi’s composed finish marked his 117th international goal and came during his 199th appearance for Argentina.
The friendly match, played in front of a packed 88,000-capacity crowd, saw Argentina test their squad depth, with several key players initially rested as coach Lionel Scaloni opted for an experimental line-up.
Argentina take early control
Argentina began brightly and took the lead after Iceland failed to clear a goalmouth scramble. The ball fell to Valentin Barco, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner to give the South American side an early advantage.
Iceland had an opportunity to open the scoring in the opening minutes when Mikael Egill Ellertsson found himself with a clear chance, but he blasted the ball over the bar, allowing Argentina to escape an early setback.
Despite dominating possession, Argentina struggled to convert chances in the first half. Nico Paz came close to doubling the lead, but his powerful strike was denied by Iceland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson, who used his face to keep his side in the game.
Second-half changes increase intensity
Argentina made multiple changes at half-time, introducing key players including Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez. The substitutions injected fresh energy into the side, with Lautaro Martinez also coming on and making an immediate impact.
Martinez came close to scoring twice but was denied by the woodwork on both occasions. Argentina’s attacking pressure continued to mount, but Iceland’s defence managed to hold firm for much of the second half.
Messi makes instant impact
The highlight of the match came when Messi was brought on in the latter stages. The Argentine captain wasted no time in influencing the game.
With his first major involvement, Messi delivered a precise pass to Martinez, who was brought down by goalkeeper Olafsson inside the box. Moments later, Messi stepped up and calmly converted to extend Argentina’s lead to 2-0.
Messi’s presence transformed Argentina’s attacking play. He was again involved in the build-up to the third goal, threading a pass to Rodrigo De Paul, who squared the ball for Thiago Almada to tap into an empty net.
The late goals ensured a comfortable 3-0 victory for Argentina, underlining their strength ahead of the World Cup.
Focus shifts to World Cup campaign
Argentina are set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria. They will also face Austria and Jordan in Group J as they aim to defend their title.
Messi’s return to fitness is a major boost for the team, especially given concerns following his recent muscle fatigue during an Inter Miami match last month. His sharp performance in a brief cameo suggests he will be ready to lead Argentina in the tournament.
Coach Lionel Scaloni will also take positives from the squad’s overall performance, particularly the contributions from younger and fringe players who were given an opportunity to impress.
Conclusion
Argentina’s convincing win over Iceland provides momentum ahead of the World Cup, with Lionel Messi’s quick return to scoring form offering reassurance to fans and management alike. As the tournament approaches, the team appears well-prepared, combining experience with emerging talent in their quest to retain the title.