Lionel Messi’s heroic hat-trick dragged Argentina back from the brink of an embarrassing World Cup exit with a 3-1 win in Ecuador
Argentina's victory catapulted them from sixth into the automatic qualification places as they joined ,  and  in booking their spots in Russia
After the shock of falling behind after 38 seconds to Renato Ibarra, Messi shouldered the hopes of an entire nation and put in one of the greatest individual performances in international football history by scoring a famous treble (12, 20, 62) when it mattered most
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner now has another crack at adding a World Cup winners medal to his CV
Elsewhere,'s draw against Colombia was enough to secure them a play-off with New Zealand for the final spot, which meant  were eliminated after they lost 3-0 in Brazil
Argentina, who have been at every World Cup finals since 1970 and twice won the tournament, knew anything other than victory would have meant elimination
It seemed inconceivable that one of football's superpowers would not make it to the World Cup - but that looked a serious possibility when Ecuador took a shock lead inside 40 seconds
Romario Ibarra ploughed his way through a nervy Argentina back-line and reversed a fine finish beyond Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero
Argentina, who had not scored in open play for 450 minutes, needed inspiration and it came from a familiar source
Messi and Angel di Maria teamed up to devastating effect
 Messi played a clever one-two with the winger before sweeping home from close range with 12 minutes on the clock
His influence on the game was growing by the minute and soon he'd single-handedly dragged his country back into World Cup contention with another sublime finish
 Ecuador squandered possession, which gave Messi the invitation to pounce
 He drove into the area and fired into the roof of the net in the 20th minute, making a tricky finish look devilishly easy
Ecuador pinned Argentina back after the break and looked the more likely to strike - until Messi waved his magic wand again on 62 minutes
Picking the ball up about 35 yards out, he had options either side but decided to go it alone
 He had a lot to do with the finish from 15 yards due to being off balance but he managed to loft a wonderful effort over the goalkeeper
It was a goal, and performance, that defied logic and defined world-class
One of the easier man of the match decisions
 After failing to score a single away goal in the qualifying campaign, Argentina's little maestro turned it on when it mattered most with three classic finishes
Words really don't do his performance justice
 It was legendary
 Without him, Argentina would be spending the summer at home
10 out of 10 - no argument
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