• 7 years ago
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AFTER 37 seconds football powerhouse Argentina’s World Cup qualification campaign was in tatters.

18 minutes — and several Lionel Messi spells of wizardry — later and the Argentinians were in front in their crucial qualifier against Ecuador at Quito’s Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa.

After Messi had almost single-handedly hauled his country in front, the superstar took it to another level in the second half, completing a spellbinding hat-trick to give Argentina a 3-1 lead.

The hat-trick has booked Argentina on the plane to Russia 2018 in a frenzied finish to the South American World Cup qualification group.

Messi completed one of his greatest hat-trick’s to score his 21st goal in 18 games this qualification campaign.

All three goals were stunning in their own way, but his solo run in the second half was the standout.

He is the reason Argentina will compete at next year’s World Cup.

Ecuador earlier stunned Argentina with a goal after just 37 seconds.

Fortunately for the visitors Messi hit back after 15 minutes following some lovey interplay with Angel Di Maria. The Barcelona star’s first-time strike found the back of the net after receiving a square pass from Di Maria inside the box.

Messi was at it again when he won the ball on the edge of the area, skipping forward for a couple of metres before blasting home with his trusty left foot to give his side a 2-1 advantage after 20 minutes.

Messi is a man on a mission. ak past Chile into fifth in the group and set up a final playoff against New Zealand.

Argentina finished third behind Brazil and Uruguay as all three countries secured direct qualification through to the World Cup alongside Colombia (fourth).
Lionel Messi needs to save Argentina.

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