Argentina easily defeated Iceland in their final pre-World Cup friendly in Auburn, Alabama, winning 3-0.
Published June 10, 2026
Lionel Messi came on as a substitute and scored a penalty kick as the Argentina national team wrapped up its World Cup preparations with a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Iceland national team in Auburn, Alabama, USA.
Messi came on in the 70th minute and converted a penalty with his first touch of the game, converting that spot-kick on Tuesday night to double Argentina’s lead. The South American giants finished the final warm-up game unscathed, with Valentin Barco and Thiago Almada also scoring.
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Messi, 38, missed Argentina’s first friendly against Honduras on Saturday as he continues to recover from a left hamstring strain, and was forced to leave Inter Miami’s last match before the World Cup was suspended on May 24.
He set up a penalty with a through pass to Lautaro Martinez, which was brought down by Icelandic goalkeeper Elias Olafsson. Messi scored his 117th international goal of his career by converting the spot kick into the roof of the net.
Messi, who is certain to qualify for the World Cup, will equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record this month by appearing in his sixth career World Cup.
experimental lineup
Manager Lionel Scaloni named an experimental line-up in front of 88,000 spectators, with Messi lined up on the sidelines at the start of the match, joined by Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandes and Alexis Mac Allister.
Iceland should have taken the lead in the first few minutes with Mikael Egil Ellerson scoring wide.
Instead, the three-time world champion took an early lead.
Iceland were only able to partially clear a goalmouth scramble in the box, and the ball found its way to Strasbourg defender Valentin Barko, who fired a shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
Niko Paz was unable to make the most of his chances to shine in Messi’s absence and squandered a big chance to make it 2-0 before half-time, but his powerful strike deflected into the face of Icelandic goalkeeper Elias Olafsson.
Five Argentine changes were made at half-time, with Fernandes and Mac Allister brought on.
Lautaro Martínez also came on at half-time and hit the post twice when he should have doubled Argentina’s advantage.
The expectant crowd had to wait until the final quarter for Messi to appear.
The Argentine legend was once again involved in Argentina’s third goal, with Rodrigo de Paul diving into the goal from Messi’s pass and Almada scoring.
Iraq loses final warm-up match
Elsewhere, World Cup preparations were dealt a blow on Tuesday with a 2-0 loss to Venezuela in Bridgeville, Illinois, in the final pre-tournament friendly.
Midfielder Cristian Caceres put the South Americans ahead in the 17th minute with a shot from close range.
Venezuela doubled their lead just after the interval when Caceres won the ball, passed it to striker Jesús Ramírez, dribbled past defenders and fired home a powerful shot.
Iraq finished the game with 10 men after forward Ali Youssef was shown a straight red card in the 72nd minute.
Iraq returns to the World Cup for the first time since its only appearance 40 years ago, starting with a Group I match against Norway on June 17, before playing France and Senegal.
