Lionel Messi sends Argentina to World Cup 2018 with magnificent hat-trick against Ecuador

Lionel Messi was the hero for Argentina as the striker scored a hat-trick against Ecuador on Tuesday to seal their spot in next year's World Cup in Russia.

Argentina, who won the World Cup twice in 1978 and 1986, was close to missing out of the 2018 World Cup after starting the match in sixth place in the South American qualifying group.

The match which held at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in Quito, saw the host stun Argentina by scoring after just 38 seconds to the match as midfielder Romario Iborra hit on target.