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Lionel Messi hat-trick takes Argentina to 2018 FIFA World Cup
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after defeating Ecuador and qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Quito on Tuesday. (AFP)
Updated on: Oct 11, 2017 3:55 PM IST
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Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after defeating Ecuador and qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Quito on Tuesday. (AFP)
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Argentina needed a win against Ecuador to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. (AP)
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But the match started in disastrous fashion for Argentina, particularly after Romario Ibarra gave Ecuador a 1-0 lead in the first minute. (AFP)
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But Lionel Messi scored off a pass from Angel di Maria in the 12th minute, left-footing home from close range to equalise the game. (REUTERS)
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In the 20th minute, di Maria slipped a pass through to Messi, who drove the ball into the top corner from 15 yards to give the two-time World Champions a 2-1 lead. (REUTERS)
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Argentina's Lionel Messi was embraced by his teammates after scoring his team's second goal but Olimpico Atahualpa Stadium in Quito fell silent. (REUTERS)
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Argentina went into the break with a 2-1 lead. (AP)
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Messi got his third goal in the 62nd minute, weighting a perfect 18-yard shot that went in just over the fingers of Ecuador keeper Maximo Banguera. (REUTERS)
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