AUBURN, Ala. – In the 69th minute, the fans got their wish.
After cheering loudly every time Lionel Messi appeared on the videoboards, the sport’s biggest star entered the match to thunderous applause that was somehow eclipsed two minutes later when Messi scored on a penalty kick.
In front of 88,043, the largest crowd ever to see a soccer game in the state of Alabama, defending World Cup champion Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 Tuesday in their Road to ’26 exhibition at sold-out Jordan-Hare Stadium.
To create his goal, Messi stutter-stepped before striking, forcing Iceland’s goalkeeper to commit, then drilling a laser over his head into the back of the net.
The day before the match, Iceland’s coach said he hoped Messi would play so he could tell his grandchildren he shared the same pitch with one of soccer’s all-time greats.
After a lengthy afternoon downpour that softened Pat Dye Field but did nothing to dampen the spirits of spectators, the match included moments that were uniquely Auburn, including an eagle flight and an appearance by honorary captain Daniel Carson, no stranger to making big kicks in this iconic 87-year-old venue.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer