Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli says 'football owes the World Cup' to Lionel Messi after hat-trick in Ecuador seals spot at Russia 2018
- Lionel Messi scored hat-trick as Argentina beat Ecuador 3-1 to qualify
- They started the night in sixth place but win lifted them to third automatic spot
- Argentina join Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia from the South American group
- Coach Jorge Sampaoli said the world's best player is in Argentine colours
Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli said his side cannot totally rely on Lionel Messi as his team swept aside Ecuador 3-1 to qualify for the World Cup.
Messi scored a hat-trick as the club recovered from an early Ecuador strike to claim all three points and a place in Russia.
Speaking after the result, Sampaoli said his squad 'should help (Messi) to be in the World Cup' and that Argentina 'took a big step ahead'.
Lionel Messi scored a stunning hat-trick as Argentina booked their World Cup place
The Barcelona star was at the heart of celebration as Argentina made it through on Tuesday
He said: 'They won the game with authority. (The opposition) scored a goal and we did not despair.
'Today luckily the nationality of the best player in the world is Argentinian.
'We must be sure everything does not depend on Leo (Messi) (but) today he brought his great ability.
'I told the group: Messi did not owe the World Cup to Argentina, but football owed the World Cup to Messi.
'We should help him be in the World Cup.'
Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli celebrates on the sidelines as his team qualified
Messi gets a hug from his coach amid jubilant celebrations in Quito
The goal in the opening minute for Ecuador - when Romario Ibarra struck - did not faze the Argentina side, Sampaoli said.
'I think the game became complicated in terms of planning. It became more difficult because Ecuador scored in the opening minute.
'But we, as a group, had the ability to appreciate the match lasts 90 minutes.'
Most watched Sport videos
- 'We struggled in the first half': Enzo Maresca after his side's win
- GWS Giants' heartbreak laid bare in change rooms
- Jacoby Jones' mom and son cry after tribute to the ex-Ravens star
- Detroit Police give update on fatal shooting after Lions game
- The job Daniel Ricciardo would do if he wasn't in motorsport
- Eddie Hearn reveals the secret to his bond with Anthony Joshua
- Travis Kelce arrives in green outfit at Arrowhead Stadium
- Aston Villa train ahead of Champions League Young Boys clash
- Arteta delighted with Arsenal's crucial 1-0 derby win over Tottenham
- James McLean riles up Birmingham fans after catching launched drink
- Emery pays tribute to Gary Shaw ahead of Villa's Europe return
- Erik ten Hag sends warning about Antony ahead of Barnsley