Nico Paz played for an hour in Argentina’s win against Iceland

Argentina head into the World Cup riding a seven-game winning run after a comfortable 3-0 win over Iceland in Alabama. They took the lead early with Valentin Barco firing home from 20 yards inside eight minutes.

The second goal came from a familiar source on 72 minutes. Just after coming on, Messi slipped Lautaro Martinez through, and the striker was felled in the box, before he buried the penalty. Scaloni’s side made it three with four minutes left, Thiago Almada finishing off a slick move from Rodrigo De Paul’s square ball.

Nico Paz started on the right and was lively in his 58 minutes, leading all players with four shots and forcing a save with one on target. The young midfielder created a chance, completed his only dribble, and won five of his seven ground duels, though he’ll rue a big chance that went begging. The former Castilla player’s future remains up in the air, with possibilities between staying one more season at Como and returning to Real Madrid.