Lionel Messi came off the bench and scored a penalty kick at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium in Argentina’s 3-0 over Iceland in the defending champions’ final World Cup warm-up match.

Messi entered the game with about 20 minutes remaining and stepped up to the penalty spot just a few minutes later after Lautaro Martinez drew the foul. It was a bit of redemption for Messi, who famously missed a penalty against Iceland in the 2018 World Cup.

Valentín Barco scored the Argentines` opener less than 10 minutes into the match at the renowned college football stadium in Auburn, Alabama. Thiago Almada scored his side`s third goal in the 86th minute, tapping on off a nice assist from midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

Argentina plays Algeria in its World Cup opener in Kansas City on Tuesday, June 16.

Here`s how the match unfolded:

Thiago Almada goal! Argentina 3, Iceland 0

The deending World Cup champions put the nail in the coffin with Thiago Almada`s goal in the 87th with the assist from Rodrigo De Paul, who had been played into the penalty area nicely by Lionel Messi.

Messi goal! Argentina 2, Iceland 0

Minutes after coming into the match, Lionel Messi converted a penalty kick after striker Lautaro Martinez drew a foul in the area. That`s Messi`s 117th international goal since his debut in 2005.

Lionel Messi enters for Argentina

Lionel Messi entered the game off the bench in the 67th minute during the mandated cooling break.

Enzo Fernandez, Lautaro Martinez on for Argentina

Argentina made five substitutions to start the second half, bringing on some of the side`s lkely starters in Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martine, Alexis Mac Allister, Cristian Romero and Enzo Fernandez
Halftime at Jordan-Hare: Argentina 1, Iceland 0

Valentín Barco scored the only goal of the first half less than 10 minutes in at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn Alabama. There could be some wholesale substitutions to begin the second half.

Valentín Barco goal! Argentina 1, Iceland 0

Valentín Barco struck a bouncing ball from just outside the penalty area just inside the post, beating Iceland goalkeeper Elias Ólafsson to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.

Argentina vs. Iceland underway at Jordan-Hare

This historic friendly is underway at Auburn`s Jordan-Hare football stadium with an expected crowd of more than 80,000 fans.

Lionel Messi is on the bench for Argentina but manager Lionel Scaloni said the 38-year-old GOAT would be playing in the game.

Argentina lineup vs. Iceland

Lionel Messi will not start the friendly at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Tuesday, but is expected to come off the bench at some point in the World Cup tune-up.

Argentina vs. Iceland prediction, pick

Argentina is in blinding form and Iceland has little to play for. This should be another confidence-boosting win for the champions.

Prediction: Argentina 3, Iceland 0

Is Messi playing today?

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will feature at some point in Tuesday`s friendly at Jordan-Hare Stadium. "Messi will play, I just don`t know how many minutes," Scaloni told reporters.

Argentina`s first World Cup game is on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.

Is Iceland in World Cup 2026?

Iceland failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after finishing third in UEFA Group D qualifying behind France Ukraine, picking up two wins and a draw in six matches.

Argentina World Cup squad 2026

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid)

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid)

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Nico González (Atlético Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel López (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)

How old is Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi is 38 years old with his 39th birthday coming up on June 25.

He made his Argentina national team debut as an 18-year-old in 2005 and alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to become the first player to appear in six World Cup tournaments.
Where is Argentina staying for the World Cup?

Argentina is using Sporting Kansas City`s training facility in Kansas City, Kansas as the team`s World Cup base camp.