Magician Messi Scored Hat-trick to Send Argentina to World Cup

Lionel Messi came to the rescue for Argentina as the South Americans secured their spot at next summer’s World Cup with a 3-1 win over Ecuador. It was a dramatic final round of South American qualifiers with Brazil the only side who had booked their seats on the flight to Russia. Argentina began the night outside of the four qualifying spots in sixth place and went into a tricky game against Ecuador with their backs against the wall, needing other sides to trip up. Finalists in Brazil three years ago, Argentina were in serious danger of missing out altogether with Chile, Uruguay and Colombia all edging them on points.

And it was the worst possible start for Argentina as Ecuador went ahead through Romario Ibarra after just 38 seconds in Quito. It took until the 12th minute for Argentina to respond, but respond they did through their captain, Messi. It was the first of a superb trio for Messi who once again almost single-handedly dragged his side to victory.

Argentina were 2-1 up in the 20th minute and Messi made sure of their World Cup spot with a trademark solo goal on the hour mark. ‘Luckily, we reacted quickly after Ecuador scored,’ Messi said after the game. ‘Thank God, we fulfilled our objective.’

Argentina had Chile in part to thank for the dramatic qualification as Alexis Sanchez’s side’s 3-0 loss to Brazil helped them leapfrog them in the table. Chile began the night in third spot and on their way to a third successive World Cup. But, Brazil showed the two-time Copa America winners no mercy while Peru scored a late equaliser against Colombia to secure fifth place and a play-off spot.

It means Uruguay, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina claim automatic qualification and national coach Jorge Sampaoli revealed his motivational speech to his players centered around their superb matchwinner. ‘Luckily the nationality of the best player in the world is Argentinian,’ said Sampaoli.

‘We must be sure everything does not depend on Leo [Messi] but today he brought his great ability. ‘I told the group: Messi did not owe the World Cup to Argentina, but football owed the World Cup to Messi. ‘We should help him be in the World Cup.’

Credit - Metro

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