Argentina beat Iceland by a slim score of 1-0 in a friendly at the Auburn stadium, in Alabama (USA), but it was only Lionel Messi who entered, 24 minutes into the second half, for the game to change to attack versus defense and the score reached 3-0.
In the first move, he left Lautaro Martínez alone in front of the goalkeeper. The attacker took a touch and the ball grazed the post, but the goalkeeper had blocked his foot. Penalty, which was converted by Messi, with the second touch of the ball, to the delight of the 88,043 spectators in the stadium.
From then on, the star created other chances on both sides of the field, including when De Paul crossed for Almada to close the score.
In the last game before their World Cup debut, Argentina showed that they are still strong, even more so when Messi is on the pitch. The debut is next Tuesday (16), at 10pm (Brasília time), against Algeria at the Kansas City Stadium, in the USA.
From the beginning, the Argentine team demonstrated more potential than its rival, who is not in the World Cup. Even more so because it is the leader in the FIFA rankings, while Iceland is only 75th.
The first big chance of the duel came from the Icelanders. After just 3 minutes, after a cross from the left, the ball fell to Ellertsson inside the small area, without a goalkeeper. He filled his foot, but the ball went up and over the crossbar, in an incredible move.
Five minutes later, the Argentines opened the scoring. Lo Celso took a free kick from the midfielder and sent the ball into the area. After a rebound, the ball was left for Barco to take a left-handed shot from outside the area and hit the Icelandic goalkeeper’s corner.
Coach Lionel Scaloni had selected a team with many substitutes to start the game. One of them was Palmeiras striker Flaco López, who managed to make good plays in his first match as a starter for his national team.
Iceland also gave goalkeeper Rulli trouble, with some dangerous arrivals.
In the second half, Scaloni fielded Lautaro Martínez, Romero, Mac Allister, De Paul and Enzo Fernández, replacing Lisandro Martínez, Lo Celso, Palacios, Barco and Flaco López, which gave the team more aggression.
The coach did not have six players for the friendly, all recovering from muscle problems: Escobar, Freitas, Aranda, Paredes, Tagliafico and Dibu Martínez.
In the hours leading up to the duel, it rained heavily in Auburn, which left the stadium’s lawn partially flooded.
The Argentine press reported that there was fear among the Argentine delegation that the game would be postponed, but it stopped raining and the field was in good condition.
