Messi leads Argentina’s 3-0 victory against Iceland in the last friendly before 2026 World Cup

It was an absolute pleasure to spend this international friendly with you here at Bolavip.

Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 with a strong showing from Lionel Messi.

After an intense second half with Messi on the field, Argentina won 3-0 against Iceland, and now prepare for their debut in the 2026 World Cup against Algeria.

Three minutes of additional time.

Since Messi entered in the field, Argentina felt more confident and scored when they had to. Iceland are done.

Thiago Almada found the space after a great ball passing in Iceland's area and scores.

With Iceland trying to find a way to score, Argentina have plenty of space to counterattack and find their third goal.

After Argentina's second goal, both teams have relaxed a little and now there is just a matter of time for the referee to blow the whistle to end it.

With Argentina having the result on their hands, they are trying to touch the ball as fast as they can, with Messi as they main piece in the puzzle.

In a dangerous action, Iceland have kicked two players from Argentina and adding two yellow cards to the six  they already have.

With his goal and the way Argentina are now playing, Messi changes everything in the game.

From the penalty spot, Messi scores for Argentina.

After a great pass from Messi, Lautaro Martinez was fouled by Iceland's goalkeeper and Messi has the chance to score on his return.

After a couple of weeks recovering from an injury, Messi enters in the field and replaces Giuliano Simeone.

After a great ball possession, Martinez crossed the ball and MacAllister hit the post when he was all alone to shoot.

Argentina 63%, Iceland, 37%

In a clear counterattack for Argentina, Lautaro Martinez couldn't shoot the ball, after a great pass from Fernandez.

Romero, Martinez, Fernandez, Mac Allister and de Paul are in, Barco, Lo Celso, Lopez, Martinez and Palacios are out.

With Enzo Fernandez, Argentina were trying to increase their advantage in the score by entering Iceland's area, but when he shot, the goalkeeper was well aware of the situation.

Literally, Iceland are waiting and see what happens, as Argentina dominate without hesitating.

Despite the result, Argentina are trying to score the second goal of the game, from the first minute of the second half.

Rosendo Mendoza blows his whistle and the second half starts.

• Goals: Argentina 1, Iceland 0
• First Half Score: Argentina 1 – 0 Iceland
• Match Status: Halftime (HT)
• Total Goals Scored: 1 (Valentín Barco, 7th minute)
• Total Yellow Cards: 3
• Argentina Yellow Cards: 1 (Valentín Barco, 42nd minute)
• Iceland Yellow Cards: 2 (Victor Palsson 28', Daniel Leo Gretarsson 29')
• Total Red Cards: 0

Rosendo Mendoza blows his whistle and the first half ends.

Three minutes of additional time.

With Argentina players going for everything on the field, Iceland take a time to wait and create fouls for free kicks.

After they recovered the ball, Barco and Simeone try to find a space to break and score the second goal.

They have given the ball to Iceland and they are just waiting for a counterattack to score another goal.

Without emotions and clear chances, Argentina hold the result, with Iceland not having any idea of how to break La Albiceleste's defense.

Argentina 67%, Iceland 33%

With Barco as the main player for Argentina, La Albiceleste holds the advantage with clear superiority.

After the cooling break, they are trying to pass the ball and find a space to score in Argentina's area.

Both teams are on the field again.

Time to hydrate.

With the result in favor of Argentina, both teams have dedicated to wait and see what happens next.

Despite not having Lionel Messi on the field, the players in the game are playing in an outstanding way, as they are now contending Iceland's attempts to attack.

With Haraldsson and Oskarsson, Iceland want to create dangerous attacks in Argentina's area, but the defense is playing outstandingly.

Argentina 72%, Iceland 28%

After a counterattack, Nico Paz almost find the way to score, with Barco as a key player in the play. However, the assistant referee lifted his flag and the play was disallowed.

With multiple crossings on Argentina's area, Iceland want to try and score the equalizer.

After too many rebounds on Iceland's area, Argentina's Barco scores the first goal for Lionel Messi's team.

Argentina 94%, Iceland 6%.

After a great attack from Nico Paz, Iceland recovered the ball on their area and Ellertsson received a pass from his teammate, but he missed to score below the goal.

With Iceland trying to defend their area, Argentina pass the ball, in order to find a space to score.

Rosendo Mendoza blows his whistle and the first half starts.

Both teams are on the field preparing for the protocolary acts and then start the game.

After warming up, Iceland and Argentina are gearing up for their international friendly in Auburn, Alabama.

Located on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, Jordan-Hare Stadium is universally recognized as one of the most iconic, imposing, and intimidating environments in American college football. Boasting a massive seating capacity of over 87,451, the historic venue traditionally serves as the exclusive home turf for the Auburn Tigers.

However, it etches itself permanently into international soccer history by hosting the final pre-World Cup warm-up exhibition between the reigning world champions Argentina and Iceland, marking the first time in the stadium's prestigious 87-year existence that a soccer match will be contested on its field.

Argentina and Iceland have an incredibly brief but highly memorable head-to-head history. Prior to their international friendly tonight in Auburn, Alabama, the two senior men's national teams have faced each other exactly one time in an official match, with a 1-1 tie in Russia 2018's group stage.

Rosendo Mendoza will be the referee for this international friendly between Iceland and Argentina. This is the full officiating for today's game:

• Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
• Assistant Referee 1: Cory Richardson
• Assistant Referee 2: Kali Smith
• Fourth Referee: Ricardo Fierro
• VAR: Lukasz Szpala
• AVAR: Chris Penso

Argentina's starting XI: Geronimo Rulli; Agustin Giay, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nahuel Medina; Giovanni Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Valentin Barco, Giuliano Simeone, Jose Manuel Lopez, Nico Paz.

Iceland's starting XI: Elias Olafsson; Logi Thomasson, Daniel Gretarson, Victor Palsson, Isak Johannesson, Albert Gudmundsson; Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Andri Baldurssin, Orri Oskarsson; Mikael Ellertsson, Bjorgvin Magnusson.

Iceland vs Argentina will get underway at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT).

Watch this International friendly match between Iceland and Argentina live in the USA on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Sling Orange.

Welcome to our live blog for the international friendly match between Iceland vs Argentina!

Stay with us for key updates, match insights, and minute-by-minute coverage as Iceland and Argentina go head-to-head just a few days before the 2026 World Cup.