Dramatic videos of Messi’s hat-trick leading Argentina to World Cup 2018
Published 11 Oct, 2017 08:24 | Updated 11 Oct, 2017 11:00
Several clips of the game against Ecuador have been published on the Argentina national football team’s Twitter. Lionel Messi, often hailed as the world’s best player, scored a hat-trick that took Argentina to next year's World Cup finals in Russia.
READ MORE: Messi to miss out? Argentina’s World Cup hopes in balance after draw with Peru
Messi was on target as Argentina came from 1-0 down to secure a 3-1 win against Ecuador in Quito.
#YoAmoAMiSelección El 10 y su magia: #Messi concreta su triplete personal con este remate. ¡Genio! pic.twitter.com/CN91Ms1Lf0
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) 11 октября 2017 г.
#YoAmoAMiSelección Así convirtió el capitán argentino para el 1-1 parcial ante @FEFecuador. pic.twitter.com/GUF88pzIZS
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) 10 октября 2017 г.
#YoAmoAMiSelección#Messi presionó y no perdonó. El 10 y su zurda para el 2-1. pic.twitter.com/dccQPXBprW
— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) 10 октября 2017 г.
The victory secured third spot in the South American qualifying group and automatic passage to Russia 2018.
Uruguay beat Bolivia 4-2 to guarantee second place, behind group winners Brazil, who defeated Chile 3-0.
That result meant Copa America champions Chile, who reached the final of the Confederations Cup in Russia in July, finished sixth in the group and missed out on a place at world football's showpiece event next summer.
Peru and Colombia drew 1-1 in Lima, meaning they finished fifth and fourth respectively. Colombia proceed directly to the World Cup, while Peru will need to negotiate an intercontinental play-off against New Zealand.
