Messi comes off the bench to score in Argentina’s final World Cup warm-up
Messi Makes Triumphant Injury Return in World Cup Warm-Up
AUBURN, Ala. — Lionel Messi signaled his readiness for the upcoming FIFA World Cup by coming off the bench to score in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Iceland on Tuesday. The friendly, held at a capacity Jordan-Hare Stadium, served as the reigning world champions’ final test before they begin their title defense in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The 38-year-old captain, who had been sidelined since May 24 with left hamstring soreness, was introduced in the 70th minute to a crowd of 88,000. Messi required only two minutes to leave his mark, threading a through-ball to Lautaro Martínez, who was fouled in the area. Messi stepped up and confidently converted the penalty into the top corner, marking his 117th international goal.
Argentina had opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Strasbourg defender Valentín Barco, who fired a left-footed volley into the bottom corner after an Iceland defensive scramble. Thiago Almada added the third goal in the 86th minute, finishing a fluid attacking sequence orchestrated by Messi and Rodrigo De Paul.
The result marks a successful conclusion to Argentina’s pre-tournament preparation. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the match to rotate his squad, testing several experimental lineups before opening Group J play against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Argentina’s World Cup campaign continues thereafter with matches against Austria and Jordan.
