Magnificent Messi scores hat trick as Argentina make it to 2018 World Cup (Details, pics)

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 Barcelona 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.

Messi doesn’t owe a World Cup to Argentina — football owes a World Cup to Messi,” Sampaoli said.

“He’s the best player in history. This is a team victory. They played a brilliant match.”

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,” he said. “Obviously there was that fear, but today we knew how to play.”

The striker said he expects Argentina to improve now the pressure of qualifying has liften.

“I think there is going to be a very big change. I think the team will grow much better now,” he added.

Messi masterclass –

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.

It looked as if Argentina’s worst fears were set to become a reality after Ibarra’s opening goal in the first minute.

But it was not long before Messi stamped his authority on the game, 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 Messi fired Argentina into the lead with another virtuoso strike, lashing into the top corner.

Messi then completed his hat-trick with a sublime chip in the 62nd minute to make it 3-1.

But while Argentina celebrated, it was a miserable night for Sampaoli’s former team Chile.

The Chileans — winners of the Copa America in 2015 and 2016 — were soundly beaten 3-0 by Brazil in Sao Paulo to see themselves eliminated on goal difference.

Barcelona’s Paulinho opened the scoring before Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus bagged a brace to secure a win already-qualified Brazil which relegated Chile to sixth place in the standing.