Argentina vs Iceland highlights, FIFA World Cup warm-up: Messi scores within seconds of coming on as sub, inspires ARG to 3-0 win

Lionel Messi comes on and within seconds he's created a chance with an unbelieveable throughball, earned his side a penalty, and scored the penalty with what was his third kick of the game!

Just Messi things!

He got the ball in the midfield, turned and released Martinez with a peach of a throughball. Martinez was brought down by the keeper and Messi stepped up for the penalty. he slots it past the keeper without any drama. 88,000 fans at the stadium roar as Messi hands Argentina a second goal.

Our guide, always ??? ??? pic.twitter.com/GM1vjFJBRC

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) June 10, 2026

Another shot that thuds into the post! Argentina are denied another goal as the ball hits the post, this time from a shot from Martinez!

Somehow, after 66 minutes we are 1-0 for Argentina.

Lionel Messi is warming up to come on as the crowd's volume at the stadium rises several octaves! this is why the stadium is packed tonight for a friendly between Argentina and Iceland. each time he's on screen at the stadium, the crowd makes their joy known.

Another chance goes begging! After a break from the right flank, Mac Allister, who was brought on for Argentina goalscorer Valentin Barco, almost scores himself. He's given the ball on a platter from the right flank. And he just has to tap in. But he sends the ball into the post!

Somehow, Argentina are still 1-0 ahead only after 60 minutes.

What a chance! One second, Argentina are defending the ball near the box and next second they are breaking at pace attacking the Iceland goal. Nico Paz, streaking away on the right flank, has the ball. He lays on a smooth cross. But Martinez cannot get on the cross despite a despairing dive. Just beyond him .

That should have been goal no 2 for the defending world champions.

After 56 mins, ARG 1-0 ISL

Five changes for the defending world champions as we begin second half.

Mac Allister in for goalscorer Barco.

Romero replaces Lisandro Martinez in defence.

Lautaro Martinez in for Jose Lopez in attack.

Rodrigo De Paul in midfield in place of Lo Celso.

Enzo Fernandez replaces Palacios.

Meanwhile, Iceland make one change: Baldursson replaced by Hlynsson in midfield.

Just when we are about to head to half-time, Iceland have a chance at levelling. The European team which did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup breaks ahead with Johannesson getting the ball around 25 yards from goal. The midfielder, who plays in the Bundesliga for Koln, puts his shoe through the ball and it stings the palms of Rulli, who is forced to gather at the second attempt.

And right afterwards we have the half-time whistle.

HALF-TIME: ARG 1-0 ISL

Argentina almost score their second goal. And it all starts from their high press. they steal the ball from the Argentina defence on the left wing. And in the matter of one pass, Barco feeds Paz. Paz shoots the ball but the Iceland keeper is at hand to parry it away! What a chance that was for Brazil!

After 40 minutes: ARG 1-0 ISL

More than once, Argentina forwards manage to nick the ball off Iceland defenders and goalkeeper on the back of some dogged pressing at the top. But Iceland have survived by living on the edge. Still just the one-goal edge for the World Cup defending champions. maybe this will change once Messi comes in.

After 36 minutes: ARG 1-0 ISL

After the 22nd minute, we have a cooling break in the game as the players get a respite from the heat. They seem to be dissolving in puddles of their own sweat at the moment.

Still no Messi on the pitch. But at least we know he's sitting on the bench. So hopefully soon.

After 25 minutes: ARG 1-0 ISL

A loud cheer goes up in the stadium as the jumbotron shows Messi sitting on the bench merrily chatting away. He's expected to come on at some point in this game. We just don't know when.

GOAL! Valentín Barco scores! And Argentina are leading 1-0 in just 8 minutes!

After a scramble in the Iceland box, where as many as nine players tried their best to keep the ball out of the net, the ball falls kindly to Barco. He's just outside the box, but volleys from outside of his left foot. It's a silken shot that flies into the goal! No stopping that!

Two goals in four starts for the former Brighton player, who now plays for Strasbourg.

After 8 minutes: ARG 1-0 ISL

WHAT A MISS! MIkael Ellertsson misses an open goal from point blank range after receiving a cross from the left wing! What a chance that was. How deeply will Iceland rue this chance!

After 3 minutes: ARG 0-0 ISL

Here we go! Plenty of action from Argentina as we start the game. Paz, in the middle of the pitch for Argentina, has an incredible moment where he is pressed for the ball by three Iceland players and manages to resist!

A minute later, Paz is the man who gets to run inside the Iceland box and take a shot, which is blocked!

After 2 minutes: ARG 0-0 ISL

Lopez and Paz are leading the line-up for Argentina in the absence of Leo Messi. Interesting to see what their next in line looks like.

The Icelanders have also rotated six players from the team that started agianst Japan recently.

Both sets of players are out for the national anthem. An exciting game on the cards today with Argentina taking the field for the last time before they begin their title defence at the FIFA World Cup.

Argentina make their line-up public and as expected no Lionel Messi in the starting XI for the friendly at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Tuesday. But with Argentina coach Scaloni speaking about Messi being given a run, the forward is expected to come off the bench at some point in the World Cup friendly, which is Argentina's last before the FIFA World Cup title defence.

here is the line up

??? This is how we come out to face Iceland! ?? pic.twitter.com/fMcC9rOnnH

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) June 10, 2026

The Iceland team has arrived in Alabama for their friendly with Argentina winless across its last five matches after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Icelanders are going through a rough stretch, accentuated by their most recent loss to Japan by 1-0 scoreline.

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina have won their last six matches. in the process they have scored 18 goals while conceding just one, and are unbeaten in friendlies since March 2019.

This is their final friendly before they begin their defence of the FIFA World Cup title.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the friendly between Argentina and Iceland, where Lionel Messi is scheduled to make an appearance.