Messi Set New Record - Take Argentina to Russia 2018

Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night.

The Argentina captain scored a hat-trick, as his team fought back from conceding early to Ecuador, to win 3-1 in Buenos Aires .

Messi scored twice in the first 20 minutes, with his first strike moving him level with compatriot, Hernan Crespo and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez on 19.

The 20th of his career gave him the record.

Messi completed his hat trick in the second half to move onto 21 goals in 45 World Cup qualifiers in his career.

Suarez also struck twice in the second half of Uruguay’s 4-2 win over Bolivia, to join him on 21 goals.