Argentina defeats Brazil in a World Cup qualifier clash marked by fan violence
Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal of the game where Argentine fans were subjected to violence from Brazilian police authorities and fans.
The Brazilian national football team has lost a competitive football match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro only thrice in its history: the 1950 World Cup final against Uruguay, the 2021 Copa America final against Argentina and in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier again last night.
Veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi rose high and headed in the only goal of the game from a corner-kick. The high-voltage fixture was delayed by half an hour as police clashed with Argentine fans inside a sold-out Maracana and the game was played with an ill temper on the pitch.
Clips of Brazilian police personnel charging Argentine fans with batons were leaked on social media and the incident took place when the respective national anthems were being played. The visiting fans responded by uprooting seats and throwing them at the officers. Fans even poured on to the pitch in order to escape the situation and one injured fan had to be carried out of the stadium on a stretcher.
Brazilian captain Marquinhos as well as the Argentina national team led by Lionel Messi made their way towards the stands to try to defuse both sides but after assessing the situation, the reigning World Champions refused to play under such conditions and made their way to the dressing room.
They did make their way back on to the pitch, however, and the game began with a torrent of noise as Selecao fans got behind the five-time world champions, who were looking to get their campaign back on track after losing consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in their history and against their arch-rivals.
Instead, they had to surrender and suffered a third loss on the trot which was their first ever at home in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. This means that Brazil are now sixth in the standings and are eight points behind leaders Argentina.
“The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” said Messi. “Obviously, at the beginning it was bad because we saw how they were beating people. You think about the family, the people who are there, who don’t know what’s going on and we are more concerned about that than playing a match. At that point the match was secondary
“After that, winning this game like this I think is one of the most important wins that this group has achieved. It is something very nice to be able to win here in Brazil, after how strong they have been at home throughout their history.”
The first half proved to be a nervy affair with 22 fouls, three bookings, and several skirmishes taking place in the stands. The referee was happy to brandish cards in order to put a check on the players’ aggression.
Brazil were the better side in the first half and almost managed to take the lead from a corner but Gabriel Martinelli’s strike was cleared off the line by Cristian Romero who had a fantastic game at the back for Argentina. Martinelli missed another sitter in the 47th minute when he struck straight at the goalkeeper despite having an open goal in front of him.
Argentina held on and scored from one of the few chances they created in the game when Otamendi got his head to a Giovani Lo Celso corner in the 63rd minute. It was their only shot on target up until that point and Brazil were further pegged back when Joelinton received his marching orders in the 82nd minute.
Argentina were able to secure a 1-0 win at the home of their fierce rivals and then went over to the fans who were subjected to violence to celebrate in front of them.
Related post
