Messi returns from injury, becomes Argentina's oldest scorer in 3-0 friendly win over Iceland
Lionel Messi needed only 53 seconds to create a penalty and then converted it, becoming Argentina's oldest-ever international goalscorer in a comfortable 3-0 friendly win over Iceland in Auburn, Alabama.
Argentina wrapped up its World Cup preparations with a commanding 3-0 victory over Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Tuesday. Coach Lionel Scaloni used the fixture to rotate his squad and assess fringe players, but the headliner was the return of captain Lionel Messi from a muscle strain that had sidelined him for the previous friendly against Honduras.
Instant impact off the bench
Messi entered the match in the 70th minute, replacing Giuliano Simeone. Within 53 seconds he threaded a pass to Lautaro Martínez, who was brought down by Iceland goalkeeper Elías Rafn Ólafsson. Messi converted the resulting penalty in the 72nd minute for his 117th international goal in his 199th appearance. The strike made him the oldest player ever to score for Argentina at 38 years, 11 months and 18 days, surpassing the mark set by Ángel Labruna in 1957.
Goals under a stormy sky
Heavy rain preceded kickoff but did not disrupt early dominance from the South Americans. Valentín Barco fired Argentina ahead in the eighth minute with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box. The score remained 1–0 at halftime as the experimental lineup created chances without adding to the lead. Thiago Almada sealed the result four minutes from time, finishing a counter-attack orchestrated by Messi and Martínez.
- 8' – Valentín Barco opens the scoring with a left-footed strike from outside the area.
- 70' – Lionel Messi replaces Giuliano Simeone; 53 seconds later he plays Lautaro Martínez through, who is fouled for a penalty.
- 72' – Messi converts the penalty for his 117th international goal, making it 2-0.
- 86' – Thiago Almada finishes a counter-attack set up by Messi to seal the 3-0 win.
Record in perspective
Labruna held the previous longevity record for 69 years, scoring against Brazil at Maracanã on 7 July 1957 aged 38 years, 9 months and 8 days. Messi eclipsed that by more than two months. The Rosario-born forward also joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa as the only players set to feature in a sixth World Cup this summer.
Looking ahead to the World Cup
Defending champions Argentina begin their title defence on 16 June against Algeria in Group J, where they will also face Austria and Jordan. Scaloni departed Auburn satisfied, having rested several starters and given Messi 20 minutes to regain match sharpness.
Let's go, but together like never before.
