Argentina’s national team beat Iceland 3-0 on Tuesday in its last friendly prior to its debut in the 2026 World Cup, where it will defend the world title won four years ago in Qatar.
With goals by Valentín Barco, in the 8th minute, Lionel Messi, in the 71st minute, on penalty, and Thiago Almada in the 86th minute, the ‘Albiceleste’ closed its preparation for the World Cup at the Jordan-Hace Stadium in the city of Auburn, which suffered a rainstorm in the hours prior to the duel.
Argentina imposed conditions from the beginning
The match started with an alternative team for the ‘Albiceleste’, but in the second half most of its starters were substituted.
Including Lionel Messi, who returned to play after the injury he suffered in Inter Miami’s last MLS match against Philadelphia Union.
At the beginning of the match, Argentina dominated the game and this was reflected in the score in the 8th minute.
When a rebound fell to Valentín Barco, who, with a shot from the edge of the area, beat the resistance of goalkeeper Elías Rafn Ólafsson to open the scoring.
After this goal, Argentina continued to control the ball.
However, they lacked the aim to increase the lead against a rival that had no options to go to the break with a parity on the scoreboard (Filed as:Lionel Messi leads Argentina’s goal).
Scaloni’s changes reinvigorated Argentina
At the start of the second half, Lionel Scaloni made six changes:
Cristian Romero’s entry in defense, plus the rotation of the starting midfield with Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul.
Then, in the 69th minute, a new change led to the return of Lionel Messi.
The next minute he set up Lautaro Martínez who was brought down by goalkeeper Ólafsson.
U.S. referee Rosendo Mendoza awarded the penalty that Messi converted into a goal.
With this goal from the penalty spot, the player from Rosario reached an absolute new historical record in national soccer.
By becoming the oldest player to score a goal with the Argentina National Team jersey (Filed as:Lionel Messi leads Argentina in scoring).
Messi continues to rewrite Albiceleste history
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The Inter Miami striker took the field at the age of 38 years, 11 months and 14 days.
He managed to beat the longevity record that belonged to Ángel Amadeo Labruna.
Until this match, the all-time record was held by the legendary River Plate striker.
He had scored his last international goal on July 7, 1957 against Brazil at the Maracana, at the age of 38 years, 9 months and 8 days.
Thiago Almada put the icing on the cake in the 86th minute.
After a Messi set-up in combination with Lautaro Martínez to make the final score 3-0 (Filed as:Lionel Messi leads Argentina’s goal).
Argentina is already looking ahead to its debut
After these friendlies, Argentina will return to its World Cup training camp in Kansas City to await next Tuesday’s World Cup Group J opener against Algeria, which it will share with Austria and Jordan.
Iceland, meanwhile, will now await its UEFA Nations League Group H opener against Estonia on June 29.
Argentina will defend its world title
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Technical data
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3. Argentina: Gerónimo Rulli; Agustín Gray (m.69, Gonzalo Montiel), Nicolás Otamendi (m.57, Nicolás González), Lisandro Martínez (m.46, Cristian Romero) and Facundo Medina; Giuliano Simeone (m.69, Lionel Messi), Exequiel Palacios (m.46, Enzo Fernández), Valentín Barco (m.46, Alexis Mac Allister) and Giovani Lo Celso (m.46, Alexis Mac Allister).Lionel Messi), Exequiel Palacios (46th minute, Enzo Fernández), Valentín Barco (46th minute, Alexis Mac Allister) and Giovani Lo Celso (46th minute, Rodrigo De Paul); Nicolás Paz (57th minute, Thiago Almada) and José Manuel López (46th minute, Lautaro Martínez).
Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
0. Iceland: Elías Rafn Ólafsson; Victor Pálsson (69th minute, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson), Daniel Leo Gretarsson (69th minute, Aron Gunnarsson), Hordur Magnusson (81st minute, Hjortur Hermannsson) and Logi Tómasson (69th minute, Dagur Thorhallsson); Mikael Ellertsson (81st minute, Daníel Gudjohnsen), Ísak Jóhannesson (d.81, Arnór Sigurdsson), Andri Baldursson (d.46, Kristian Hlynsson) and Hakon Haraldsson (d.81, Dagur Thorhallsson); Albert Gudmundsson (d.81, Kristall Ingason) and Orri Óskarsson (d.81, Daníel Gudjohnsen).
Coach: Arnar Gunnlaugsson.
Goals: 1-0, minute 8: Valentín Barco. 2-0, 71st minute: Lionel Messi, penalty kick. 3-0, 86th minute: Thiago Almada.
Referee: U.S. Rosendo Mendoza cautioned Valentín Barco, Lautaro Martínez, Victor Pálsson, Daniel Leo Gretarsson, Ísak Jóhannesson, Elías Rafn Ólafsson, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and Aron Gunnarsson.
Incidents: FIFA friendly match played at Jordan-Hare’ Stadium, in the city of Auburn, Alabama (United States).
With information from EFE
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