{"id":178946,"date":"2026-06-10T14:48:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T18:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/argentina-crushed-iceland\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T14:59:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T18:59:21","slug":"argentina-crushed-iceland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/en\/argentina-crushed-iceland\/","title":{"rendered":"Argentina crushed Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Argentina’s national team beat Iceland 3-0 on Tuesday in its last friendly prior to its debut in the 2026 World Cup, where it will defend the world title won four years ago in Qatar.<\/p>\n

With goals by Valent\u00edn Barco, in the 8th minute, Lionel Messi, in the 71st minute, on penalty, and Thiago Almada in the 86th minute, the ‘Albiceleste’ closed its preparation for the World Cup<\/a> at the Jordan-Hace Stadium in the city of Auburn, which suffered a rainstorm in the hours prior to the duel.<\/p>\n

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Argentina imposed conditions from the beginning<\/h2>\n
\"Lionel
PHOTO: Instagram of the Argentina National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The match started with an alternative team for the ‘Albiceleste’, but in the second half most of its starters were substituted.<\/p>\n

Including Lionel Messi, who returned to play after the injury he suffered in Inter Miami’s last MLS match against Philadelphia Union.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of the match, Argentina dominated the game and this was reflected in the score in the 8th minute.<\/p>\n

When a rebound fell to Valent\u00edn Barco, who, with a shot from the edge of the area, beat the resistance of goalkeeper El\u00edas Rafn \u00d3lafsson to open the scoring.<\/p>\n

After this goal, Argentina continued to control the ball.<\/p>\n

However, they lacked the aim to increase the lead against a rival that had no options to go to the break with a parity on the scoreboard (Filed as:Lionel Messi leads Argentina’s goal).<\/p>\n

Scaloni’s changes reinvigorated Argentina<\/h2>\n
\"soccer,
PHOTO: Instagram of the Argentina National Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the start of the second half, Lionel Scaloni made six changes:<\/p>\n

Cristian Romero’s entry in defense, plus the rotation of the starting midfield with Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul.<\/p>\n

Then, in the 69th minute, a new change led to the return of Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n

The next minute he set up Lautaro Mart\u00ednez who was brought down by goalkeeper \u00d3lafsson.<\/p>\n

U.S. referee Rosendo Mendoza awarded the penalty that Messi converted into a goal.<\/p>\n

With this goal from the penalty spot, the player from Rosario reached an absolute new historical record in national soccer.<\/p>\n

By becoming the oldest player to score a goal with the Argentina National Team jersey (Filed as:Lionel Messi leads Argentina in scoring).<\/p>\n

Messi continues to rewrite Albiceleste history<\/h2>\n
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A post shared by Selecci\u00f3n Argentina (@afaseleccion)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n