'Messi did not owe the World Cup to Argentina, but football owed the World Cup to Messi'

Hat-trick hero Lionel Messi saved Argentina's World Cup dreams.

Hat-trick hero Lionel Messi believes Argentina deserve to go to Russia next summer after he saved their World Cup dreams.

Jorge Sampaoli's side beat Ecuador 3-1 in their final must-win qualifier on Wednesday despite going behind to Romario Ibarra's first-minute goal.