World Cup warm-up: Messi scores on return as Argentina register 3-0 win vs Iceland

Lionel Messi returned from injury with a goal as Argentina completed their FIFA World Cup preparations with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday.

The reigning world champions extended their winning streak to seven matches and received a timely boost ahead of the tournament, with Messi making an immediate impact after coming off the bench in the second half.

Argentina's first meeting with European opposition since the 2022 World Cup final began at a lively pace. Iceland should have taken the lead inside the opening minutes when Mikael Ellertsson found himself with the goal at his mercy, only to blaze over from close range.

The miss proved costly. Argentina capitalised shortly afterwards when Iceland failed to clear a deep free-kick. The loose ball fell kindly to Valentin Barco, who drilled a first-time effort into the bottom corner beyond Elas Rafn Lafsson to give Lionel Scaloni's side an early advantage.

Barco continued to trouble the Icelandic defence and nearly turned provider midway through the first half. His perfectly weighted through ball released Nico Paz, but the youngster was denied by lafsson at the near post as Argentina went into the break with a slender one-goal lead.

Scaloni rang the changes at half-time, introducing Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez among five substitutions. The changes increased Argentina's attacking threat, but a second goal remained elusive.

Mac Allister rattled the woodwork just after the hour mark from Martnez's clipped pass, while the Inter Milan striker twice struck the post as Iceland survived a sustained spell of pressure.

The crowd's attention, however, was fixed on Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner started on the bench as he continued his recovery from muscle fatigue suffered during Inter Miami's win over Philadelphia last month.

When he finally entered the match in the closing stages, Messi needed only moments to leave his mark. His first involvement was a defense-splitting pass that sent Martinez through on goal. The striker was brought down by Lafsson inside the area, and Messi stepped up to dispatch the resulting penalty into the top corner for his 117th international goal.

Argentina were not finished. Messi was again involved in the move that sealed the result, picking out Rodrigo De Paul, whose low cross was turned in by Thiago Almada from close range.

The victory capped a productive warm-up campaign for Argentina and, perhaps more importantly, confirmed Messi's readiness for the tournament. The 38-year-old looked sharp during his brief appearance and showed no signs of discomfort ahead of what is set to be his sixth World Cup.

Argentina begin the defence of their World Cup crown against Algeria on June 16 before facing Austria and Jordan in Group J. Iceland, meanwhile, extended their win less run to six matches and will not return to action until September.