Lionel Messi’s return to action offered Argentina a timely boost as they wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a 3-0 win over Iceland in Auburn, Alabama. The forward, who had been nursing muscle fatigue since late May, came off the bench to score his 117th international goal in just 20 minutes, easing concerns about his fitness ahead of his sixth World Cup. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the occasion to experiment with his line-up, resting several key players before introducing them in the second half, while an 88,000-strong crowd witnessed Messi’s trademark impact almost immediately.
Iceland had threatened early on, with Mikael Egill Ellertsson missing a clear chance, but Argentina quickly took control. Nico Paz and Lautaro Martinez both came close to extending the lead, with Martinez striking the post twice after the interval. Messi’s entrance transformed the game, first threading a pass to Martinez who was fouled by goalkeeper Elias Olafsson, then calmly finishing himself to double Argentina’s advantage. His sharpness and composure reassured supporters that he remains central to Argentina’s title defence.
Messi’s influence extended to Argentina’s third goal, when his pass found Rodrigo De Paul, who set up Thiago Almada for a simple finish. The cameo underlined his enduring ability to dictate play and inspire teammates, while also highlighting the squad’s depth as Scaloni rotated personnel without losing control of the match. The performance suggested Argentina are well balanced, blending experienced stars with emerging talents, and capable of adapting to different scenarios.
With their warm-up campaign complete, Argentina now turn to Group J, where they face Algeria on June 16 before meeting Austria and Jordan. The reigning champions enter the tournament with confidence, buoyed by Messi’s recovery and the squad’s cohesion, as they aim to defend their crown and extend their dominance on the world stage.
