Lionel Messi's Impact in Argentina's 3-0 Win Over Iceland

Lionel Messi needed barely a heartbeat to remind Argentina – and everyone watching – that his World Cup story is not done yet.

On a warm night in Auburn, Alabama, the 38-year-old stepped off the bench, won a penalty with his first touch, buried it with his second, and turned a routine friendly into a statement. Argentina’s 3-0 win over Iceland wrapped up their World Cup preparations with minimum fuss and maximum reassurance.

Messi’s instant impact

Messi had sat out the weekend win over Honduras, nursing left hamstring soreness that cut short his final Inter Miami game before the World Cup break on May 24. His inclusion here, even from the bench, carried more significance than the scoreline.

He entered on 70 minutes to a roar from an 88,000-strong crowd that had waited all evening for its main attraction. Within moments, he sliced Iceland open.

A trademark throughball sent Lautaro Martinez racing clear. Goalkeeper Elias Olafsson clattered into the striker. Penalty. Messi picked up the ball, walked to the spot, and drove his kick into the roof of the net. No fuss, no sign of discomfort, just the 117th international goal of his career hammered home.

With that, any lingering doubts about his readiness for a record sixth World Cup – a mark he will share with Cristiano Ronaldo – eased.

He wasn’t done. For Argentina’s third, Messi again threaded the needle, slipping a pass into Rodrigo De Paul, who squared for Thiago Almada to tap in. Ten minutes on the pitch, two goals created, one scored. Business as usual.

Scaloni experiments, Barco seizes his chance

This was not a night built around the established stars. Lionel Scaloni used it to stretch his squad, resting Messi, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister at kick-off and rolling out an experimental side.

It almost backfired early.

Iceland should have struck first when Mikael Egill Ellertsson found space and the goal gaping, only to lash his finish over the bar. Argentina escaped, and the punishment was swift.

A scrappy goalmouth scramble in the Iceland box ended with the ball spilling to Strasbourg defender Valentin Barco on the edge of the area. He didn’t hesitate. One clean strike, drilled low into the bottom corner, and Argentina were in front.

The chance to shine in Messi’s absence fell to others. Nico Paz, handed a valuable audition, forced Olafsson into a painful save when his fierce drive smashed into the keeper’s face, but he failed to turn promise into an end product before the break.

Scaloni reacted at half-time, sending on Fernandez, Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez among five changes. The shift in quality was immediate, even if the scoreboard took time to catch up.

Lautaro twice rattled the post when he should have put the game to bed, the woodwork denying him the goal his movement deserved. The misses only heightened the anticipation in the stands. Everyone knew who they wanted to see next.

When Messi finally peeled off his bib, the stadium responded as if it were a knockout tie, not a friendly in Alabama. The tempo lifted. The touches sharpened. Argentina, already in control, suddenly looked like champions again.

Iceland’s warning, Argentina’s comfort

For Iceland, the night will sting. That early Ellertsson miss was their big moment. After Barco’s opener, they struggled to unsettle Argentina’s reworked back line and offered only flickers of threat on the break.

Argentina, by contrast, got almost everything they needed. No injuries. Fringe players tested. Key men like Fernandez and Mac Allister given minutes without overload. And Messi, crucially, moving freely, dictating, finishing.

This was not a classic. It did not need to be. It was a final tune-up, and the world champions walked off looking in rhythm.

Iraq stumble as Venezuela strike

While Argentina cruised, Iraq endured a far more sobering rehearsal in Bridgeville, Illinois.

Their 2-0 defeat to Venezuela exposed familiar frailties and cut across the optimism of a first World Cup appearance in 40 years. Cristian Casseres struck twice at the heart of the contest, once on the scoresheet and once in the build-up.

The midfielder opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a close-range finish, punishing Iraq’s inability to clear their lines. Right after half-time, he pressed, won the ball, and released Jesus Ramirez. The striker glided past a defender and thumped in a powerful second.

Any hope of a late response vanished on 72 minutes when forward Ali Youssef saw red with a straight dismissal, leaving Iraq to finish with 10 men and no way back.

They now head into Group I knowing the scale of what awaits. Norway on June 17, then France and Senegal. The return to the World Cup stage is a landmark in itself. The question is whether this group can turn that history into something more than a brief cameo.

Argentina, with Messi purring again, look ready to defend their crown. Iraq, bruised by Venezuela, must find answers fast.