Messi Returns With a Goal and a Record in Argentina’s Route on the Road to the World Cup

The National Team wrapped up their preparation with a solid victory and Messi's return, who made history again before the World Cup debut against Algeria

Victory against Iceland

Argentina concluded its preparation for the World Cup with a thrashing that left more than good feelings. In the friendly match against Iceland, the National Team won 3-0 and added three encouraging pieces of news: a clear victory, no new injuries, and Lionel Messi's return with a goal included.

Messi breaks another record

The captain returned after the physical discomforts that had kept him sidelined, and in just 20 minutes, he left his mark, a pass that created a dangerous situation and a penalty, thus marking his 117th goal in 199 matches with the Albiceleste. Moreover, at 38 years, 11 months, and 14 days, Messi became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the National Team, surpassing Ángel Labruna's record.

The variations Scaloni tried and Messi's entry

The match also served for Lionel Scaloni to try out different options. Gerónimo Rulli occupied the goal, Facundo Medina played as a full-back, Nico Paz returned after his recovery, and José Manuel López moved as a center forward. In midfield, Exequiel Palacios and Giovani Lo Celso maintained the identity of touch and elaborate construction, while Giovanni Simeone and Valentín Barco spread out on the wings. Indeed, Barco opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a left-footed shot that set the course of the match.

In the second half, key players such as Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez, Thiago Almada, and Nicolás González came on. His entry in the 69th minute was decisive; he assisted Lautaro for the second goal, generated a penalty that he himself converted with precision, and, in the epilog, initiated the play that ended with an assist from De Paul and a finish by Almada for the definitive 3-0