Lionel Messi jumped on the field, and in just three minutes, scored from the penalty spot against Iceland to extend Argentina’s lead in their last friendly prior to the World Cup. Lionel Messi started the match against Iceland off the bench as part of a careful strategy by head coach Lionel Scaloni to manage his workload and avoid any potential injury setbacks. However, it took the superstar just minutes after stepping onto the pitch to make his mark, extending Argentina’s lead from the penalty spot.
Entering the match in the second half immediately following the cooling break, Messi quickly asserted himself by controlling possession in midfield and slipping a clinical through ball to Lautaro Martínez. Finding himself one-on-one with Elías Ólafsson, the striker saw his initial effort denied but managed to draw a penalty after being brought down by the rushing goalkeeper.
On just his third touch of the match, Messi stepped up to take the spot-kick, and although Ólafsson guessed the correct side, the Inter Miami star slotted a precise finish into the bottom right corner just out of the keeper’s reach. With the conversion, the forward doubled Argentina’s advantage just three minutes after his introduction.
pic.twitter.com/Y5URIeyx53— Messi World (@MessiWorld101) June 10, 2026
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