Messi scores after injury as Argentina beats Iceland in warm-up

Lionel Messi scored just minutes after returning from an injury as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 in their last World Cup warm-up match in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday.

Messi started the game on the bench. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is coming back to full fitness after leaving Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia due to muscle fatigue on May 24.

Joining him on the sidelines at the start were Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister. Coach Lionel Scaloni set up an experimental line-up in front of a crowd of 88,000.

Messi is preparing for his sixth World Cup and showed he is ready for the tournament with a strong 20-minute performance.

Argentina kicks off their World Cup title defense against Algeria on June 16. They will also face Austria and Jordan in Group J.

Iceland almost took the lead in the opening minutes. Mikael Egill Ellertsson shot over the goal when it was wide open.

Instead, the three-time world champions grabbed an early lead. Iceland could not fully clear a scramble in their box. The ball fell to Strasbourg defender Valentin Barco, who fired it into the bottom corner.

Nico Paz missed a chance to shine in Messi’s absence. He had a big opportunity to make it 2-0 before half-time, but his strong shot was saved by Iceland’s goalkeeper Elias Olafsson.

Fernandez and Mac Allister came on among five Argentine changes at half-time. Lautaro Martinez also joined the action and hit the post twice when he should have scored.

Fans had to wait until the last part of the match for Messi to come on. In his first touch, Messi made a brilliant pass to Martinez, who was taken out by Olafsson as he tried to chip the ball wide.

Messi then scored his 117th international goal on his 199th cap. He also played a part in Argentina’s third goal. Messi passed to Rodrigo De Paul, who set up Thiago Almada to tap in.