Messi Scores on His Return as Argentina Beat Iceland 3-0 in Final World Cup Warm-Up

Lionel Messi could not have written a more convincing answer to the injury anxiety of the past fortnight. Coming off the bench in the 70th minute against Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, he needed just moments to make his mark — scoring from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 and becoming the oldest goalscorer in Argentina national team history in the process.

The record had stood for 69 years. Angel Labruna set it on July 7, 1957, scoring at 38 years, 9 months and 8 days old. Messi, now 38 years, 11 months and 14 days, has taken sole possession of that landmark.

Argentina finished the night 3-0 winners. Valentin Barco opened the scoring, Messi added the second from the spot, and Thiago Almada completed the tally after a flowing move involving Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Almada in the final third. It was as sharp as anything Argentina have produced in preparation.

Messi's 20-minute cameo produced 21 touches, 19 passes, one key pass and one goal. Coach Scaloni has managed him carefully since the hamstring scare on May 26, and the strategy has paid off. There is no question now that the defending champions will have their captain available for the title defence against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.

Leonardo Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel all returned to group training during the week. Cristian Romero also came on in the second half as Scaloni continued testing his squad depth ahead of what Argentina hope will be a historic back-to-back title run.