All set for the 2026 World Cup. One week before their debut in the most important tournament of all, the Argentine National Team defeated Iceland 2-0 in their second and final friendly match of preparation, marked by the return of Lionel Messi.
At the beginning of the match, the Albiceleste would dominate possession and the initial dangerous actions; however, the European team would be the first to warn. In the 3rd minute, Albert Gudmundsson would make an excellent pass to the far post for Mikael Ellertsson, who would miss the goal from close range, sending the ball well over the crossbar.
After this scare, the national team would quickly regain control and take an early lead on the scoreboard five minutes later. After a series of rebounds in the area, Valentín Barco would unleash a low left-footed shot from outside the area, well placed against the left post of goalkeeper Elías Rafn Ólafsson, who would not be able to make the save.
Although the National Team would have a brief offensive surge in the following minutes, between the cooling break and Iceland's defensive regrouping, the decibels of the match would decrease, giving way to a much more physical game.
Only towards the end of the first half would there be opportunities for Scaloni's men to increase the lead. In the 39th minute, Giulano Simeone would create a great play in the area, but would shoot straight at the gloves of Ólafsson, who shortly after would deny a dangerous one-on-one to Nico Paz.
In the second half, both teams would make several changes to rotate the squad. In Argentina's case, Lautaro Martínez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cristian Romero would come on for José López, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Valentín Barco, and Lisandro Martínez.
In the 57th minute, the Albiceleste would again be close to scoring the second of the night. Nico Paz would break down the right and send a pass to the center of the area, but Lautaro would neither reach nor push the ball. After the play, two more substitutions would be made, Nicolás González and Thiago Almada for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz.
Just moments later, Simeone would brilliantly set up the Toro, who would deliver an excellent pass to Mac Allister, who would receive the ball alone in the area but would hit his shot against the right post, the same post that would later also deny what would have been a great goal from the Inter Milan forward.
Beyond this bitter moment, a moment of happiness would arrive for the country: the return of Lionel Messi to the pitch. The Rosario star would come on with Gonzalo Montiel for Simeone and Agustín Giay, and immediately make an impact on the match. On the first ball he touched, he would leave Lautaro alone, who would be fouled by Ólafsson in the area and the referee would call a penalty. The one to take the spot kick would be the Argentine captain, who would not disappoint and would slot it into the right corner.
Clearly with a different performance compared to the rest of the match, mainly due to the substitutions, the attacks would become increasingly numerous, elaborate, and dangerous. In that sense, in the 86th minute, after a good sequence of quick counterattacks, De Paul would assist Almada to score the final 3-0.
With all the preparation matches already played, the National Team will fully focus on training for their debut in Group J of the 2026 World Cup next Tuesday, June 16 against Algeria at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
