Lionel Messi comes off bench, scores in Argentina's final friendly

Argentina close its tune-up matches with a dominant 5-0 combined result

Jun 9, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against Iceland during a Road to 26 men's international friendly at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Photo: Reuters

Lionel Messi came off the bench and converted a penalty in Argentina's final World Cup tune-up friendly Tuesday, a 3-0 defeat of Iceland in Auburn, Ala.

Subbing in during the 70th minute, Messi set up a penalty kick with his first touch of the match, passing a throughball to Lautaro Martinez, who was taken out by Iceland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson.

In the 72nd minute, Messi buried the PK into the roof of the net, doubling Argentina's lead to 2-0 on the 117th international goal of his career.

Messi, 38, missed Argentina's first friendly against Honduras on Saturday as he continued his recovery from left hamstring soreness which forced him to prematurely exit Inter Miami's final match before the World Cup break on May 24.

With his World Cup status seemingly certain, Messi is set to simultaneously set a record this month alongside Cristiano Ronaldo when he appears in his sixth career World Cup.

No one has played in more World Cup matches than Messi, who has appeared in 26, one more than Germany's Lothar Matthaus. Messi's 13 career World Cup goals are tied for fourth-most, three behind German record-holder Miroslav Klose (16).

Valentin Barco (eighth minute) and Thiago Almeda (86th) also scored for Argentina, who outscored their opponents 5-0 in the final tune-up matches entering their World Cup title defense.

Argentina's Group J schedule at the upcoming World Cup features matches against Algeria on Jun 16 in Kansas City, Mo.; against Austria on Jun 22 at Arlington, Texas; and against Jordan on Jun 27 at Arlington.