Argentina's Messi Qualification

IAN McFARLANE reflects on how one of the world’s best teams almost missed out on Russia 2018…

IN MY opinion, a catastrophe was averted in the last round of South American world Cup qualification fixtures.Argentina were on the brink of not qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

Enter Lionel Messi with a stunning hattrick in Ecuador, resulting in a 3-1 win, a third-place finish and a berth at the finals in Russia next summer.

I don't know what it is, but since I can remember the Argentine national team has always fascinated me, watching great players who have pulled on the famous jersey over the years.

I have a diverse love of football so some names on this list may seem a little obscure to some, but the likes of Veron, Batistuta, Crespo, Tevez, Riquelme, Palermo, Pochettino, Vivas, Heinze, Demichelis and, from yesteryear, the great Di Stefano, Kempes and Maradona have always intensely held my interest.

This still rings true to the current squad. Aside from Messi, you also have Mascherano, Rojo, Roncaglia, Biglia, Mercado, Di Maria, Aguero, Gaitan and Bernadett to carry on the legacy.

Despite the quality of players at their disposal, Argentina struggled in the qualifying campaign, which began in 2015.