AUBURN (United States) (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored within minutes of making his return from an injury scare as Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 in their final World Cup warm-up in Auburn, Alabama on Tuesday._x000D_
_x000D_
Messi started on the bench as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is eased back to fitness after exiting Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia with muscle fatigue on May 24._x000D_
_x000D_
He was joined on the sidelines at the start by Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister as Lionel Scaloni named an experimental line-up in front of an 88,000 capacity crowd._x000D_
_x000D_
Messi is set to feature in his sixth World Cup and allayed fears he may not be ready for the start of the tournament in a supreme 20-minute cameo._x000D_
_x000D_
Argentina begin their defence of the World Cup against Algeria on June 16 before also facing Austria and Jordan in Group J._x000D_
_x000D_
Iceland should have taken the lead inside the first few minutes when Mikael Egill Ellertsson blasted over with the goal gaping._x000D_
_x000D_
Instead the three-time world champions took an early lead._x000D_
_x000D_
Iceland could only partially clear a goalmouth scramble inside their box and the ball broke to Strasbourg defender Valentin Barco to fire into the bottom corner._x000D_
_x000D_
Nico Paz failed to make the most of his chance to shine in Messi’s absence and wasted a big chance to make it 2-0 before half-time when his powerful hit was repelled by the face of Iceland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson._x000D_
_x000D_
Fernandez and Mac Allister were introduced among five Argentine changes at the break._x000D_
_x000D_
Lautaro Martinez was another to make his entrance at half-time and twice hit the post when he should have doubled Argentina’s advantage._x000D_
_x000D_
The expectant crowd had to wait until the final quarter for Messi to make his appearance._x000D_
_x000D_
With his first involvement, Messi’s brilliant pass played in Martinez, who was wiped out by Olafsson as he chipped the ball wide._x000D_
_x000D_
Messi made no mistake by slotting in his 117th international goal on his 199th cap._x000D_
_x000D_
He was involved again for Argentina’s third goal as Messi’s pass fed Rodrigo De Paul, who squared for Thiago Almada to tap in.
