Lionel Messi leads Argentina to pre-World Cup win over Iceland
By Luke Oluoch, June 10, 2026Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 win over Iceland as Lionel Scaloni’s world champions wrapped up their 2026 preparation on a high on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Alabama, USA.
Messi added to Thiago Almada’s and Valentin Barco’s goals to secure the comfortable win for the South American champions, who seek to defend the world title they won in 2022 in Qatar.
Messi started the clash on the substitute bench and needed only a minute to impact the game upon entering the fray in the 69th minute.
The MLS-based striker set up Lautaro Martinez with a defence-splitting pass, and the Inter Milan man was upended inside the box for a penalty.
Argentina’s dominant start
Barco was the first of the scorers as Scaloni charged in to take the game after a prolonged scramble at goal. The left-footed star shot from inside the box, evading bodies and the Iceland keeper for the 7th-minute opener.
With a one-goal advantage still remaining, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was introduced before the sold-out crowd of 88,043 in Auburn, Alabama, amid cheers from the crowd.
He wasted little time in settling in and impacted the game almost immediately with the clever assist to Martinez.
The Argentine star was not done and also had a hand in the final game as Argentina settled the contest in the five minutes remaining.
Following a counterattack, Messi set up the third goal that was finished off by Almada to seal the tie.
World Cup starts
With the thrashing victory, La Albiceleste will return to Kansas City, where they will begin preparations for their World Cup opener against Algeria next Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
They will begin against Algeria, before taking on Austria and Jordan in the remaining group fixtures.
The victory was their second in their preparation after a similar victory against Honduras, 2-0, on Saturday night, June 6, 2026.
The mercurial striker Messi was among the players watching on after his return to the national team after an injury scare with his Inter Miami club.