Lionel Messi carries Argies to Russia
Captain's hat-trick seals World Cup spot for South Americans.
Montevideo: Lionel Messi fired Argentina into the World Cup with a brilliant hat-trick on Tuesday as South American champions Chile suffered a shock elimination.
Messi single-handedly resurrected Argentina’s hopes in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in Quito that drew a line under a chaotic campaign that had left the two-time champions in danger of failing to qualify. The superstar scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes to give Argentina the lead after Ecuador had stunned the visitors with an opening goal after from Romario Ibarra after 38 seconds.
Messi then completed his hat-trick — the 44th of his dazzling career — with a sublime chip in the second half to seal the victory. The Argentinian captain can now look forward to his fourth appearance at the World Cup at next year’s finals in Russia, where he will attempt once more to lead his country to an elusive major title.
Since his country’s defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, Messi has twice suffered agony at major tournaments with Argentina, losing the finals of both the 2015 Copa America and the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
Messi, who will turn 31 during next year’s World Cup, now has one, perhaps final, chance to emulate his idol Diego Maradona by lifting the World Cup. Messi later told reporters the prospect of not qualifying had weighed heavily on the squad. “It would have been crazy for Argentina, for all of us. Obviously there was that fear, but today we knew how to play,” he said.
Argentina had started the day outside the automatic qualifying positions, needing to secure their first win in Quito since 2001 to be certain of claiming at least a playoff place. But while Argentina celebrated, it was a miserable night for Chile. The Chileans — winners of the Copa America in 2015 and 2016 — were beaten 3-0 by Brazil.
Peru meanwhile kept alive their hopes with a fighting 1-1 draw with Colombia that earned them a play-off place. In the day’s other game, Paraguay’s hopes of qualification evaporated in a 1-0 loss to Venezuela in Asuncion.