Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; New Delhi, June 10: Defending world champions Argentina wrapped up their World Cup preparations in emphatic fashion with a convincing 3–0 victory over Iceland in their final international friendly. The match, played at the Jordan-Hayer Stadium, also marked a major relief for fans as captain Lionel Messi returned from injury and found the back of the net.

Argentina, coached by Lionel Scaloni, had already shown strong form in their previous friendly against Honduras, and they continued their dominance against Iceland. The team looked well-organised and sharp throughout the match, signalling strong readiness ahead of the upcoming World Cup campaign.

The breakthrough came in the first half when Valentín Barco scored a brilliant goal to put the defending champions ahead. Argentina maintained control of the game with disciplined passing and solid defensive structure, limiting Iceland’s chances and keeping possession for long stretches.

The second half saw the much-anticipated return of Lionel Messi, who came on as a substitute. The Argentine captain made an immediate impact, successfully converting a penalty kick to double his team’s lead. His return to the scoresheet after recovering from injury was greeted with huge excitement from supporters and added to Argentina’s growing confidence ahead of the tournament.

The match approached its closing stages, Argentina continued to press forward. With just four minutes remaining in regulation time, Thiago Almada added a third goal, sealing a comfortable win for the reigning world champions and capping off a dominant performance.

The victory against Iceland completes Argentina’s preparation phase on a high note. The team will now shift focus to their World Cup journey, with their opening match scheduled for June 17 at the Kansas City Stadium against Algeria. The coaching staff will be encouraged by the team’s form, depth, and especially Messi’s successful return to action.

With momentum on their side and their captain back among the goals, Argentina head into the tournament as strong contenders to defend their title on the global stage.