Argentina received a major boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as captain Lionel Messi made a successful return from injury, scoring in a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iceland in their final warm-up match before the tournament.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner started the match on the bench as coach Lionel Scaloni carefully managed his recovery from the muscle fatigue that forced him off during Inter Miami’s match against Philadelphia Union last month.
With Argentina already leading, Messi entered the game in the second half and immediately made his presence felt. Moments after coming on, he won a penalty following a dangerous attacking move and calmly converted from the spot to extend his side’s advantage.
The goal eased concerns about the fitness of the Argentine captain, who had missed the team’s previous friendly against Honduras as part of his recovery programme. His sharp performance suggested he will be ready for the start of the World Cup.
Argentina dominated much of the contest, controlling possession and creating the better chances against an Iceland side that struggled to cope with the world champions’ attacking quality.
The victory completed an encouraging build-up for Argentina, who have been balancing preparations for their title defence while carefully managing several players returning from injuries.
Messi’s appearance was particularly significant given fears that his recent hamstring problem could affect his participation in the tournament. Instead, the veteran forward looked comfortable and confident during his brief cameo.
Argentina will now turn their attention to their opening World Cup fixture, with supporters hopeful that a fully fit Messi can once again inspire the team on football’s biggest stage.