Argentina round off World Cup preparations with confident win against Iceland

Spectators at Jordan-Hare Stadium enjoyed an energetic first ten minutes, which saw a missed golden chance and the match's first goal. Iceland's Mikael Ellertsson was the player who squandered an early opportunity, firing a close-range effort over the crossbar when it appeared simpler to find the net.

Moments later, Iceland's inability to properly clear a deep free-kick offered Valentin Barco the chance to unleash a first-time strike from the edge of the area, drilling it low past Elías Rafn Olafsson at the near post.

Barco's second goal in his last three international outings was shortly succeeded by a period of calm, which was suddenly broken when the 21-year-old delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Nico Paz, who could not get the better of Olafsson at the near post, meaning La Albiceleste had to settle for a slender advantage at half-time.

Two of Lionel Scaloni's five half-time changes almost created Argentina's second goal just after the hour, as Alexis Mac Allister hit the woodwork from Lautaro Martinez's clipped pass, shortly after Hakon Haraldsson shot wide at the other end of the field.

Martínez then bent a right-footed effort against the same post that had kept out Mac Allister, before attention shifted to Lionel Messi's eagerly anticipated entrance.

Within just moments of his arrival, Messi's first touch conjured a magical through ball which led to Martinez drawing a foul from Olafsson inside the box, offering the 38-year-old the opportunity to fire an unstoppable penalty into the top corner.

The Inter Miami star was once more involved in Argentina's third goal, setting up Rodrigo De Paul for a square ball that presented Thiago Almada with an easy finish.

The defending world champions ultimately coasted to a seventh straight victory ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria, while Iceland have ample time to contemplate a six-match winless streak until they resume competition in September.