Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a penalty as Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 in their final friendly ahead of the World Cup.

In front of a huge, 88,000-strong crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Alabama, Messi started on the bench as the world champions continue to be cautious about his recovery from a muscle issue.

Iceland missed a glaring chance to go ahead when Mikael Ellertsson turned Albert Gudmundsson's centre over a completely open goal, and Argentina struck in the eighth minute, through Valentin Barco's instinctive left-footed volley following a goalmouth scramble.

Barco then teed up a good chance for Nico Paz late in the first half, but Elias Olafsson stood firm in the Iceland net. Como playmaker Paz should have had an assist in the 57th minute, but Lautaro Martinez was unable to meet his cross on the stretch.

Alexis Mac Allister and Martinez both struck the post in quick succession, then Messi's first touches off the bench resulted in him feeding the Inter striker, who was clipped by the onrushing Olafsson as he attempted a lobbed finish.

Messi fired the subsequent spot-kick into the top-right corner, and the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was also involved in the build-up to Argentina's 86th-minute third, linking up with Rodrigo De Paul before Thiago Almada turned the latter's centre home.

Messi back with a bang as Argentina fine-tune preparations

Messi was an unused substitute for the first of Argentina's pre-tournament friendlies, a 2-0 victory over Honduras, as Lionel Scaloni outlined a need to "avoid any risks" with his fitness.

The Inter Miami superstar only played 20 minutes off the bench on Tuesday, but if this cameo was anything to go by, he looks raring to go.

Messi's first involvement saw him release Martinez through on goal with a lovely, cushioned throughball, and he made no mistake from the resulting penalty to score his 117th goal for Argentina, on his 199th senior cap.

It was also his clever pass to the overlapping De Paul that led to Argentina's third goal, and the World Cup's record appearance-maker will be hoping for a similar impact when the reigning champions take on Algeria in their Group J opener next Tuesday.

Other players staked a claim, too, with Barco chief among them. He was the only player on either team to create multiple chances, and he now has two goals in just four appearances for his country.