10 June 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Defending world champions Argentina national football team completed their preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with an impressive 3-0 victory over Iceland national football team in a pre-tournament friendly.
Captain Lionel Messi was among the scorers, converting a penalty as Argentina delivered a confident performance ahead of its World Cup opener.
Messi On Target
Messi continued his fine form by calmly converting a spot-kick, giving fans another glimpse of his influence as Argentina prepares to defend its World Cup crown.
The goal added to the veteran forward’s remarkable international record and boosted confidence within the squad.
Argentina Dominates Proceedings
Argentina controlled possession for much of the match and created numerous scoring opportunities against Iceland.
The South American side looked sharp in attack and organized in defense, limiting Iceland’s chances throughout the contest.
Strong Team Performance
Beyond Messi’s contribution, Argentina received encouraging performances from several key players as head coach Lionel Scaloni tested combinations and tactics ahead of the tournament.
The team’s attacking movement and defensive structure appeared well balanced.
Positive Signs Before World Cup
The victory provided a morale boost and suggested that Argentina’s squad is nearing peak condition at the right time.
Recent reports have indicated that most of the squad has recovered from minor fitness concerns ahead of the competition.
Iceland Shows Resistance
Despite the defeat, Iceland displayed resilience in phases of the game and used the friendly as an opportunity to test itself against one of the strongest teams in international football.
Attention Turns To World Cup
With warm-up matches complete, Argentina will now shift its focus entirely to the World Cup, where expectations remain high following its triumph in Qatar.
Supporters will be hoping Messi and his teammates can replicate their previous success on football’s biggest stage.
Momentum Building
The comfortable win ensures Argentina enters the tournament with momentum, confidence, and a largely healthy squad as it begins the defense of its global title.