Argentina vs Iceland has been played twice at senior international level. Argentina drew 1-1 with Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, then beat Iceland 3-0 in a June 2026 international friendly in Auburn, Alabama. The 2026 goals came from Valentín Barco, Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada.
Key Takeaways
- Argentina and Iceland have met twice in senior men’s international football.
- Their first meeting was a 1-1 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
- Argentina won the second meeting 3-0 in 2026.
- Valentín Barco, Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada scored for Argentina in the 2026 match.
- The 2026 friendly was played at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
Argentina vs Iceland: Latest Result
The most recent Argentina vs Iceland match ended with a 3-0 Argentina victory in an international friendly played in Alabama in June 2026.
Valentín Barco opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Lionel Messi then converted a penalty in the 72nd minute, and Thiago Almada completed the scoring in the 86th minute. FIFA described the match as Argentina’s final pre-tournament preparation game before the 2026 World Cup.
The match was held at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, a venue better known for American football. Sky Sports recorded an attendance of 88,043.
2026 Match Score and Goal Scorers
| Match | Competition | Result | Argentina scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs Iceland | 2026 International Friendly | Argentina 3-0 Iceland | Barco 8′, Messi 72′ pen, Almada 86′ |
| Argentina vs Iceland | 2018 FIFA World Cup | Argentina 1-1 Iceland | Agüero 19′ |
The 2026 result gave Argentina a clear lead in the all-time head-to-head record. After two meetings, Argentina had one win and one draw, while Iceland had one draw and one loss.
Argentina vs Iceland Head-to-Head Record
Argentina and Iceland had never played each other before the 2018 World Cup. Their first meeting came in Group D in Moscow on June 16, 2018.
The second meeting came eight years later in a friendly in Alabama.
| Statistic | Argentina | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 2 | 2 |
| Wins | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Losses | 0 | 1 |
| Goals scored | 4 | 1 |
So far, Argentina has scored four goals against Iceland, while Iceland has scored one.
The two results are especially easy to remember: 1-1 in the 2018 World Cup and 3-0 to Argentina in 2026.
Argentina vs Iceland 2018 World Cup
The 2018 World Cup meeting remains the most famous Argentina vs Iceland match.
Argentina entered the game as a major tournament contender, while Iceland was making its first appearance at a FIFA World Cup. The match took place at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium as part of Group D.
Argentina took the lead in the 19th minute. Sergio Agüero received the ball inside the penalty area and produced a left-footed finish to make it 1-0.
Iceland responded only four minutes later. Alfreð Finnbogason scored in the 23rd minute to make it 1-1. FIFA recorded the goal as Iceland’s first-ever World Cup goal.
The score remained 1-1 through the rest of the match.
Messi’s Saved Penalty
The biggest moment of the second half came in the 64th minute.
Argentina was awarded a penalty, giving Lionel Messi an opportunity to put his team ahead. Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Þór Halldórsson saved the kick, however, keeping the score level.
Argentina continued to look for a winner, but Iceland’s defense held firm. The final score was 1-1, giving Iceland a point in its first World Cup match.
Argentina vs Iceland 2026: Match Details
The second meeting was very different from the first.
Argentina played Iceland on June 9, 2026, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, as part of its preparation for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA lists the result as Argentina 3-0 Iceland.
Argentina scored early through Valentín Barco in the eighth minute. The team then added two second-half goals.
Messi entered the game in the second half and scored from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute. Thiago Almada added the third goal in the 86th minute.
Goal Timeline
- 8′: Valentín Barco, Argentina, 1-0
- 72′: Lionel Messi, penalty, 2-0
- 86′: Thiago Almada, Argentina, 3-0
FIFA reported that the victory extended Argentina’s winning run to seven matches at that point in its pre-tournament preparation.
The result also meant Argentina had never lost to Iceland after their first two meetings.
Why the 2018 Match Was Historically Important
The 2018 meeting had significance beyond the final score.
For Iceland, it was the country’s World Cup debut. The team immediately earned a point against Argentina, and Finnbogason’s goal became Iceland’s first in the tournament.
For Argentina, the draw meant the team began its 2018 World Cup campaign without a victory. Messi’s missed penalty became one of the most discussed moments of the match.
The 2026 meeting created a useful contrast. Instead of another competitive World Cup fixture, the teams met in a friendly, and Argentina won 3-0.
Argentina vs Iceland: Quick Comparison
| Category | 2018 Meeting | 2026 Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup | International Friendly |
| Location | Moscow, Russia | Auburn, Alabama |
| Score | Argentina 1-1 Iceland | Argentina 3-0 Iceland |
| Argentina scorers | Sergio Agüero | Valentín Barco, Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada |
| Iceland scorer | Alfreð Finnbogason | None |
| Messi | Played, missed penalty | Played, scored penalty |
| Result for Argentina | Draw | Win |
The two matches therefore tell a simple story of how the head-to-head series has developed. The first ended level, while the second produced Argentina’s first victory over Iceland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Argentina vs Iceland score?
The latest Argentina vs Iceland match ended Argentina 3-0 Iceland in an international friendly in June 2026. Valentín Barco, Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada scored for Argentina.
How many times have Argentina and Iceland played?
Argentina and Iceland have played twice at senior international level. Their first meeting was a 1-1 draw at the 2018 World Cup, followed by Argentina’s 3-0 victory in the 2026 friendly.
Did Messi score against Iceland?
Yes. Lionel Messi scored against Iceland in the 2026 meeting, converting a penalty in the 72nd minute. In the 2018 World Cup match, Messi did not score and had a second-half penalty saved by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldórsson.
Who scored for Argentina against Iceland in 2026?
Argentina’s three goals came from Valentín Barco in the eighth minute, Lionel Messi from a penalty in the 72nd minute, and Thiago Almada in the 86th minute.
Did Argentina and Iceland play in the World Cup?
Yes. Argentina and Iceland met in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D. The match ended 1-1, with Sergio Agüero scoring for Argentina and Alfreð Finnbogason scoring for Iceland.
Where was Argentina vs Iceland 2026 played?
The 2026 friendly was played at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. The match was part of Argentina’s final preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Conclusion
The Argentina vs Iceland rivalry is still a very small head-to-head series, with only two senior international meetings through 2026. Their first match produced one of the memorable results of the 2018 World Cup, as Iceland drew 1-1 with Argentina after Messi’s penalty was saved.
Their second meeting produced a different outcome. Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 in Alabama in 2026, with goals from Barco, Messi and Almada. That result left Argentina unbeaten in both meetings and gave the South American side its first victory over Iceland.
Sophia Reed edits and reviews language comparison content to maintain accuracy and readability.
