Argentina Qualifies for World With 3-1 Win Over Ecuador

Messi's Hat-trick Secures Spot in Russia

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Argentina secured its spot in the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory over Ecuador in Quito. Lionel Messi scored all three goals for the Albiceleste, who finished third in the South American qualifying standings with 28 points. Ecuador, meanwhile, finished eighth with 20 points and failed to qualify for the tournament.

Messi opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a brilliant solo effort, dribbling past several Ecuadorian defenders before firing a low shot into the bottom corner. He doubled Argentina's lead in the 20th minute with a free kick from the edge of the area, and completed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute with a header from a cross by Angel Di Maria.

Ecuador pulled one back in the 75th minute through Romario Ibarra, but it was too little, too late for the home side. Argentina held on for the win and booked its ticket to Russia, where it will be looking to improve on its performance from the 2014 World Cup, when it lost to Germany in the final.