ASI REACCIONA PRENSA MUNDIAL a GOL de MESSI ARGENTINA vs ISLANDIA 3-0

Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Tuesday, May 9th, in a friendly match during the FIFA international break. The reigning world champions are in fine form heading into the 2026 World Cup. In a match from which Scaloni can draw several conclusions, the Albiceleste were superior and made the difference through Valentín Barco in the first half and the ever-present Lionel Messi, who came on as a substitute in the second, along with a superb performance from Enzo Fernández. The day began with a dramatic downpour that threatened to suspend or postpone the match. This didn't happen. However, the coach did field an alternative starting eleven, contrary to expectations. He decided to rest Messi, given the heavy pitch, and other players. Among the standout performers in that starting lineup were Valentín Barco, very precise with the ball and finding the net, and Nico Paz, sharp in attack and creating clear scoring opportunities. The first clear chance of the match fell to Iceland. A long ball was played to Guðmundsson on the left, who cut inside and unleashed a weak shot that was almost a low cross, and Ellertsson incredibly missed it from point-blank range. However, Argentina struck first. In a scramble in the Icelandic penalty area, the ball was only partially cleared, and Colo Barco, with a deft outside-of-the-boot shot from the edge of the box, made the ball bounce before reaching the goal and beat the goalkeeper for 1-0. Scaloni's team gained a slight momentum after the goal, with some interesting movement from Nico Paz—though not much—and only a few near misses. The game then slowed down a bit, and Iceland began to control possession. And towards the end of the first half, they almost scored a second. High pressure from Palacios, a recovery, Barco, and a perfect through ball to Nico Paz, who was left floating, and the Como player fired the bouncing ball past the goalkeeper. The Chelsea midfielder came on at halftime and began to dictate the play in the middle of the pitch, giving Argentina much-needed clarity as they quickly started threatening a second goal. Coincidentally, it was Enzo himself, just after the start of the second half, who dribbled past two defenders in the box but mishit his one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and from a very tight angle. Then Lautaro Martínez—another recent substitute—squandered an incredible opportunity. Nico Paz broke free with him to make it 2-1 and get the second goal, but played a slightly overhit pass down the middle, and the striker stretched, though he couldn't quite connect. It would be the beginning of a series of misfortunes for the Inter Milan striker, who looked ineffective. Following that, Iceland threatened. A great one-two between Óskarsson and Haraldsson led to the latter firing a low left-footed shot that went just wide of the post. In the very next play, Alexis Mac Allister missed a sitter. A long pass from Enzo Fernández found Simeone, who spotted Lautaro and played it right to him. The striker chipped the ball into the middle, and the Liverpool player calmly slotted it into the corner. Argentina kept pressing and came close again after a long pass to Lautaro on the left. The striker cut inside and opened his foot to shoot, but unfortunately for him, his shot hit the post. But the 2-0 was imminent... and it arrived. Messi, who had come on as a substitute, received the ball in midfield, turned, and delivered a pinpoint pass to Lautaro. The striker again failed to capitalize, chipping it just wide of the post as the goalkeeper came out, although a penalty was awarded. Messi stepped up, waited for the goalkeeper's movement, and fired high and to the right for the second goal. After the goal, the pace of the game slowed slightly. Argentina began to move the ball around with a completely new lineup (except for Rulli), and the third goal arrived. The team started from the back, moved the ball around, broke lines, and created numerical superiority with Messi and De Paul, who appeared in the box, played it into the middle, and Thiago Almada calmly finished like a true striker to complete the rout. Argentina secured a solid victory in Alabama and heads towards their World Cup debut against Algeria with several takeaways. It remains to be seen who will replace Balerdi on the roster and which players Scaloni can utilize in which positions, given the number of makeshift options he used throughout the 90 minutes.