Argentina handled their international friendly with calm authority, beating Iceland 3-0 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, USA. Valentín Barco opened the scoring early, Lionel Messi doubled it from the spot, and Thiago Almada wrapped it up late. The Albiceleste controlled possession, created the clearer chances, and kept Gerónimo Rulli’s evening largely stress-free.

Both managers made full use of the friendly format, and Lionel Scaloni’s bench made a big impact. Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Gonzalo Montiel came on at 70 minutes, just after Argentina had already added fresh legs at half-time and on 58. Iceland rotated heavily in the final stretch but couldn’t turn the tide.

How the goals arrived

Argentina struck first on eight minutes when Valentín Barco cut in and drove a left-footed finish beyond Elías Ólafsson. It was a clean start that rewarded early dominance and set the tone for a one-sided shot count that ended 15-6. Iceland rallied with a couple of half-chances, but Rulli had only one save to make all night. The game tilted again after the break, helped by Argentina’s wave of quality substitutes. Lautaro Martínez quickly forced the issue in the box, drawing a foul that changed the scoreline and the mood.

Messi stepped up in the 72nd minute and converted the penalty with his left foot for 2-0. Iceland’s goalkeeper Ólafsson, who would finish with four saves, guessed but couldn’t get there. Argentina then added a third in the 86th minute with their best move of the match. A tidy sequence ran through Alexis Mac Allister and Lionel Messi before Rodrigo De Paul found Thiago Almada in stride. Almada took one touch and buried a left-footed strike to the far side for 3-0.

Numbers that tell the story

Argentina owned the ball with 63% possession and out-shot Iceland 15-6, including a 7-1 edge in shots on target. The champions also generated five big chances to Iceland’s two and recorded 32 touches inside the box versus just eight at the other end. Passing control was clear as well: 678 total passes to 396, with 615 accurate for Argentina. Final-third entries were close (33-31), but the quality of those entries told a different story. Argentina worked the ball into more dangerous areas and made it count.

There were near-misses too, as Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez both struck the woodwork in the second half. Lautaro also won the penalty that Messi converted, a neat snapshot of how the bench shaped the game. Defensively, Argentina were comfortable, needing only one save and conceding just six total shots. Iceland battled in the air and won more aerial duels overall, but spent long stretches pinned back. Referee Rosendo Mendoza showed eight yellow cards in total, six to Iceland and two to Argentina, across three minutes of added time in each half.

Who impressed according to Sofascore

Valentín Barco led the way with a Sofascore Rating of 7.8, helped by his early goal and two key passes in a lively 45 minutes. Lionel Messi posted a 7.7 after coming on in the 70th minute, converting from the spot and knitting play with 15 accurate passes. Thiago Almada also earned a 7.7 off the bench, finishing coolly for the third after sharp movement in the box. Rodrigo De Paul recorded a 7.7 with an assist, a big chance created and 35 accurate passes as he steered the midfield late on. Agustín Giay’s 7.2 stood out from the starters, with 46 accurate passes and a tidy night at right-back.

For Iceland, Jón Dagur Þórsteinsson and Albert Guðmundsson were the pick of the outfielders at 7.0, both offering sparks in transition and chance creation. Goalkeeper Elías Ólafsson finished on 6.9 with four saves and one penalty faced, keeping the score respectable during Argentina’s best spells. The visitors worked hard in aerial duels and made 11 clearances, but couldn’t turn territory into danger often enough. On Sofascore, fans can dive into player heat maps, passing networks and every rating detail from this friendly. The data backs up what the eyes saw: Argentina’s depth and quality tilted the match decisively.

A tidy night in Auburn

Both teams lined up in a 4-4-2 and used the occasion to test different combinations, but Argentina’s rotations were the difference. The bench brought control, tempo and goals, with Lautaro’s penalty win and the Almada strike sealing it. For a friendly, it delivered a clear reading: Argentina’s structure and attacking options are in good rhythm, and the numbers on Sofascore tell the same story.