Lionel Messi Shines in Argentina's 3-0 Victory Over Iceland Ahead of World Cup

Argentina's captain Lionel Messi made a triumphant return to the pitch, scoring a goal in a 3-0 victory over Iceland. This friendly match, held in Alabama, showcased Messi's skills and alleviated concerns about his fitness ahead of the World Cup. With Argentina's strong performance, including goals from Ezequiel Barco and Thiago Almada, the team is gearing up to defend their title. Fans are excited as they prepare for their first World Cup match against Algeria on June 16.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 10, 2026, 09:46 IST

Messi's Comeback and Argentina's Dominance

In a significant boost for fans just ahead of the World Cup, Argentina's captain Lionel Messi made a remarkable return to the field. After dealing with a muscle issue, he came on as a substitute and scored a goal, contributing to Argentina's impressive 3-0 win against Iceland in a friendly match held at the Jordan-Hare Stadium in Alabama, USA. The stadium was filled with tens of thousands of fans eager to see Messi in action.

Argentina opened the scoring early, with Ezequiel Barco netting a goal in the 8th minute. The crowd eagerly awaited Messi's entrance, which came in the 70th minute when coach Lionel Scaloni substituted him in. Just moments after stepping onto the pitch, Messi successfully converted a penalty, marking his 911th career goal and 117th for his national team. Thiago Almada later added another goal, ensuring a comfortable victory for the reigning world champions.

Messi's return was particularly noteworthy as he had to leave an Inter Miami match earlier due to a muscle strain in his left leg. He had only joined the national team camp the previous week and missed a friendly against Honduras. Coach Scaloni emphasized the importance of player fitness, stating that they would ensure adequate rest to prevent injuries.

Messi's performance against Iceland has alleviated concerns regarding his fitness, providing a significant confidence boost for Argentina as they prepare to defend their World Cup title. This victory marks their second consecutive win in friendly matches, with Argentina set to face Algeria in their first World Cup game on June 16.