Watch Lionel Messi and Argentina squad celebrating World Cup qualification

Lionel Messi played a central role in Argentina's World Cup qualification on the pitch and then lead the celebrations off it.

Cheers resounded across Argentina when Messi's hat-trick dragged them back from the brink of an embarrassing early exit.

Chants an singing were also heard from the players in the dressing room with Barcelona star Javier Mascherano capturing the moment and posting it on Instagram.

Messi grabbed his 44th career hat-trick, his fifth for Argentina with the other 39 for Barcelona and the victory helped Argentina leapfrog from sixth into the automatic qualification places where they join Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.

Argentina have been at every World Cup since 1970 and twice won the tournament, and after their impressive performance against Ecuador, they have given themselves the chance to relive the World Cup dream again.