.jpg)
KABUL (SW): A Lionel Messi hat-trick ensured Argentina came from behind to win in Ecuador and avoid missing a World Cup finals for the first time since 1970.
The 2014 runners up began the day sixth in the group and needing a top-four place to qualify automatically. The Barcelona forward equalised in the high-altitude Ecuadorian capital after 12 minutes when he linked up with Paris St-Germain midfielder Angel di Maria and stabbed home, the BBC reported.
The five-time world player of the year's second goal came eight minutes later with a powerful strike from the edge of the area before a fine solo goal in the second half sealed the victory and Argentina's passage to Russia.
However, Chile – the winners of the last two Copa America titles – are out after losing 3-0 in Brazil. Brazil had already qualified and Luis Suarez scored twice as Uruguay beat Bolivia 4-2 to qualify, with Colombia also advancing after a 1-1 draw in Peru.
Peru finished fifth in South American qualifying and will now meet New Zealand in a two-legged play-off.
Before the game, fans around the world were left to wonder what a World Cup without one of the game's greatest players of all time would look like. But the heroics from Messi, combined with the rest of the results in the region on Tuesday, means Argentina have qualified in third place.
After the match Messi, who along with the rest of Argentina's players had not spoken to the media since November 2016, said: "Fortunately everything went well and we are into the World Cup. We are calm now after achieving the main goal, that is the most important thing. All this time that we were away from the press and the fans helped us to be closer. "It would have been crazy a World Cup without Argentina, this group didn't deserve it. The team will change, will grow a lot and will come out stronger.
Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli said his side cannot totally rely on Lionel Messi as his team swept aside Ecuador 3-1 to qualify for the World Cup.
ENDS
