Argentina, the world champions, defeated Brazil 1-0 in a tense World Cup qualifying match at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana. Tuesday’s kickoff was delayed by almost thirty minutes due to brawls between supporters of Argentina and Brazil. The highly anticipated match between the two dominant teams in South American football was scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. local time (00:30 p.m. GMT on Wednesday), but it was postponed owing to disruptions in the stands. At one point, Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, attempted to lunge into the seating section to challenge a Brazilian policeman with a baton. Scroll down to read World Cup Qualifier: Messi Astounds As Police Hit Fans.
When Argentina and Brazil began their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Lionel Messi was not pleased with the crowd’s behavior or the Brazilian police’s alleged beating of Argentina fans. After a brawl broke out between supporters of the two teams in the stands at Rio’s Maracana Stadium, he pulled the squad off the field.
For twenty-seven minutes, the game could not be stopped as Messi and company informed the Brazil squad that they would not return to the field until the spectators had regained their composure. Emiliano Martinez, the goalie for Argentina, is seen clashing with Brazilian police in a video that also purports to show him beating up on national supporters. Messi and other Argentina players may be seen in another video approaching the stands to stop the cops from hitting the country’s supporters.
Before Argentina captain Lionel Messi led his colleagues into the tunnel, several players approached the agitation in what appeared to be an attempt to settle down.
https://twitter.com/M30Xtra/status/1727126586707828766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1727126586707828766%7Ctwgr%5Ef3486386985104ff6d7b30c059e28be318674ef1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.ndtv.com%2Ffootball%2Flionel-messi-stunned-as-police-hit-argentina-fans-with-sticks-in-world-cup-qualifier-vs-brazil-watch-4595125
It was overheard that Messi said, “We’re not playing, we’re leaving,” as he left the field.
Messi got into a verbal altercation with Rodrygo Goes, a winger for Brazil,'[p”l after he appeared to refer to the Argentina players as “cowards”.
CLIMA CALIENTE: Messi y Rodrygo, cara a cara en el Maracaná antes del arranque del encuentro. #EliminatoriasEnTyCSports pic.twitter.com/vV3FNGXrnJ
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) November 22, 2023
Before Joelinton received a straight red card for an on-the-field altercation with Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, his team was already behind 1-0. Three Brazil players had previously received bookings during the first half.
In the sixty-third minute, defender Nicolas Otamendi gave Argentina the lead with a header from Giovani Lo Celso’s cross following a corner.
Later on, Messi clarified that he had removed his teammates from the pitch to calm things down.
“We thought that going to the locker room would help to defuse the tension. We went to check on our relatives and other loved ones. And then we returned,” Messi remarked following the game.
Argentina’s victory became their first on Brazilian soil in a World Cup qualifier.
Brazil, the five-time champions, now sit in sixth place after six games following their defeat.
Argentina and Brazil entered the match having lost to Uruguay (2-0) and Colombia (2-1), respectively.
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