Magical Messi fires Argentina to 2018 World Cup with hat-trick in Ecuador - in pictures

Barcelona superstar single-handedly rescues Argentina and puts them through to Russia next year

Argentina players celebrate after Lionel Messi scores his third goal against Ecuador during their 2018 World Cup qualifying match at the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium in Quito. Fernando Vergara / AP Photo

Lionel Messi, right, celebrates after scoring against Ecuador. AP Photo

Lionel Messi, right, fights for the ball against Ecuador's Jefferson Orejuela. Dolores Ochoa / AP Photo

Lionel Messi fights for the ball against Ecuador's Alex Ibarra. Dolores Ochoa / AP Photo

Lionel Messi runs as he celebrates after scoring against Ecuador. Dolores Ochoa / AP Photo

Lionel Messi, centre, celebrates after scoring against Ecuador. Dolores Ochoa / AP Photo

Lionel Messi, centre, dribbles the ball between Robert Arboleda, left, and Jefferson Intriago. Fernando Vergara / AP Photo

Argentina players celebrate after beating Ecuador to book their place at the 2018 World Cup. Fernando Vergara / AP Photo

Argentina's Angel Di María, right, fights for the ball against Ecuador's Alex Ibarra. Fernando Vergara / AP Photo

Lionel Messi runs with the ball after scoring against Ecuador. Fernando Vergara / AP Photo

Lionel Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick to book Argentina's place at the 2018 World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Ecuador in Quito.

Barcelona superstar Messi single-handedly rescued Argentina's World Cup hopes as the two-time World Cup winners came from behind to win in Quito.

Romario Ibarra had given Ecuador a shock lead after only 38 seconds but Messi struck twice inside the opening 20 minutes to give Argentina the lead before adding a third in the second half.

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Read more:

• 2018 World Cup qualifying: European round-up as Portugal and France book places in Russia
• Australia v Syria: Tim Cahill 'a great Australian sportsman' after double keeps alive World Cup bid
• Egypt's revival: New generation, led by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, sweeps Egypt to World Cup

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It was a vintage display from Messi, delivering for Argentina when it mattered most to erase fears that they two-time champions might not feature in Russia next year.

Argentina had got off to a disastrous start, conceding a goal in the opening minute as Ecuador took full advantage of hesitancy in the visiting side's defensive ranks.

Javier Mascherano failed to deal with a speculative long ball forward from Dario Aimar, directing a headed clearance into the path of Ibarra.

Ibarra calmly headed to teammate Roberto Ordones who then steered a header of his own back to Ibarra for the midfielder finish.

It was the worst possible start for a shell-shocked Argentina, who had not won in Quito since 2001.

For a while Argentina struggled to get to grips with a vibrant Ecuador, who looked to push forward at every opportunity.

But it was not long before Messi stamped his authority on proceedings, hauling his team back into the contest with a composed opening goal.

The equaliser came in the 12th minute when Messi darted forward and quickly released Angel Di Maria down the left.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker duly returned the favour as Messi raced into the penalty area to poke home a low finish past Maximo Banguera.

Eight minutes later and Messi had fired Argentina into the lead with another virtuoso strike.

When a loose ball fell kindly to the 30-year-old's feet just outside the area, Messi accelerated past a clutch of yellow shirts and uncorked a thunderous left-foot shot which flew into the top corner.

Messi's double-blast galvanised Argentina, who gradually grew in confidence through the remainder of the half, carefully maintaining possession to frustrate Ecuador's hopes of regaining the initiative.

Messi then completed his hat-trick with the best goal of the night in the 62nd minute.

Once again finding himself in space outside the Ecuador penalty area, the diminutive maestro burst clear and lofted an exquisite chip over Banguera from just inside the box to make it 3-1.