Lionel Messi’s heroic hat-trick dragged Argentina
back from the brink of an embarrassing World Cup
exit with a 3-1 win in Ecuador.
Argentina's victory catapulted them from sixth into
the automatic qualification places as they joined
Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia in booking their spots
in Russia.
After the shock of falling behind after 40 seconds to
Renato Ibarra, Messi shouldered the hopes of an
entire nation and put in one of the greatest
individual performances in international football
history by scoring a famous treble when it mattered
most.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner now has another
crack at adding a World Cup winners medal to his
CV.
Man of the match: Lionel Messi
Elsewhere, Peru's draw against Colombia was
enough to secure them a play-off with New Zealand
for the final spot, which meant Chile were
eliminated after they lost 3-0 in Brazil.
Argentina, who have been at every World Cup finals
since 1970 and twice won the tournament, knew
anything other than victory would have meant
elimination.
It seemed pretty inconceivable that one of football's
superpowers would not make it to the World Cup -
but that looked a serious possibility when Ecuador
took a shock lead inside 40 seconds.
Romario Ibarra ploughed his way through a nervy
Argentina back-line and reversed a fine finish
beyond Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio
Romero.
Argentina, who hadn't scored in open play for 450
minutes, needed inspiration and it came from a
familiar source.
Messi and Angel di Maria teamed up to devastating
effect. Messi played a clever one-two with the
winger before sweeping home from close range.
Messi's hat-trick was his 44th in his career
His influence on the game was growing by the
minute and soon he'd single-handily dragged his
country back into the World Cup with another
sublime finish. Ecuador squandered possession,
which gave Messi the invitation to pounce. He
didn't waste the opportunity as he drove into the
area and fired into the roof of the net, making a
tricky finish look devilishly easy.
Ecuador pinned Argentina back after the break and
looked the more likely to strike - until Messi waved
his magic wand again on 62 minutes.
Messi scores his third with a deft chip
Picking the ball up about 35 yards out, he had
options either side but decided to go it alone. He
had a lot to do with the finish from 15 yards due to
being off balance but he managed to loft a
wonderful effort over the goalkeeper.
It was a goal, and performance, that defied logic
and defined world-class.
Lionel Messi’s heroic hat-trick dragged Argentina
back from the brink of an embarrassing World Cup
exit with a 3-1 win in Ecuador.
Argentina's victory catapulted them from sixth into
the automatic qualification places as they joined
Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia in booking their spots
in Russia.
After the shock of falling behind after 40 seconds to
Renato Ibarra, Messi shouldered the hopes of an
entire nation and put in one of the greatest
individual performances in international football
history by scoring a famous treble when it mattered
most.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner now has another
crack at adding a World Cup winners medal to his
CV.
Man of the match: Lionel Messi
Elsewhere, Peru's draw against Colombia was
enough to secure them a play-off with New Zealand
for the final spot, which meant Chile were
eliminated after they lost 3-0 in Brazil.
Argentina, who have been at every World Cup finals
since 1970 and twice won the tournament, knew
anything other than victory would have meant
elimination.
It seemed pretty inconceivable that one of football's
superpowers would not make it to the World Cup -
but that looked a serious possibility when Ecuador
took a shock lead inside 40 seconds.
Romario Ibarra ploughed his way through a nervy
Argentina back-line and reversed a fine finish
beyond Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio
Romero.
Argentina, who hadn't scored in open play for 450
minutes, needed inspiration and it came from a
familiar source.
Messi and Angel di Maria teamed up to devastating
effect. Messi played a clever one-two with the
winger before sweeping home from close range.
Messi's hat-trick was his 44th in his career
His influence on the game was growing by the
minute and soon he'd single-handily dragged his
country back into the World Cup with another
sublime finish. Ecuador squandered possession,
which gave Messi the invitation to pounce. He
didn't waste the opportunity as he drove into the
area and fired into the roof of the net, making a
tricky finish look devilishly easy.
Ecuador pinned Argentina back after the break and
looked the more likely to strike - until Messi waved
his magic wand again on 62 minutes.
Messi scores his third with a deft chip
Picking the ball up about 35 yards out, he had
options either side but decided to go it alone. He
had a lot to do with the finish from 15 yards due to
being off balance but he managed to loft a
wonderful effort over the goalkeeper.
It was a goal, and performance, that defied logic
and defined world-class.
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