On a night marred by violence and mayhem at the legendary Maracanã stadium, Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 to incur its first-ever home World Cup qualification loss.
For the first time in the Seleção’s history, defender Nicolas Otamendi’s powerful header in minute sixty-three gave Argentina a historic three points and sent Brazil reeling from their third consecutive qualification loss.
Unfortunately, there was unrest in the fans during the match, which caused the World Cup qualifier to start later than expected.
Brazilian police intervened to break up the fighting between the two groups of fans, who were seated together at one end of the stadium, during the national anthems. However, Lionel Messi and the rest of the national team were infuriated by the police’s harsh treatment of the Argentine fans.
The Inter Miami forward initially led his teammates to the stand where the altercation was occurring and begged for calm from the police and Argentina supporters, some of whom were seen hurling torn-out seats at the security guards.
In several photos, weeping kids can be seen in the bleachers, and one mother is seen trying to go over the chairs and away from the violence while holding a baby.
To stop a policeman from hitting an Argentina supporter with his baton, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez once bravely ascended onto the stand and grabbed his arm.
After that, Messi guided the squad off the field and back into the locker rooms, where they spent the next ten minutes. In the end, the game started thirty minutes late.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) declared on its website that having mixed supporter bases at games run by South American football’s CONMEBOL and soccer’s global governing body FIFA is “standard.”
The statement went on to say, “The CBF did not create or impose this model.” According to the CBF, 700 military police officers and 1,050 private security personnel “worked to secure the match.”
In a statement, the state military police of Brazil said that their officers were “involved in a scuffle among fans” and that eight persons had been taken into custody, one of which was a lady who had reportedly mistreated a Maracanã employee because of her race.
When CNN asked for comment, neither CONMEBOL nor the Argentine football organization responded right away.
After the game, Messi told reporters, “The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” according to Reuters. Naturally, things weren’t good at first since we could see that they were abusing individuals.
“Our family and the individuals there who don’t know what’s going on are more important to us than win a game. The match was secondary at that moment.
“After that, I believe that this game’s victory is one of this group’s most significant victories. Considering how formidable they have always been at home, it is rather pleasant to succeed here in Brazil.
At the very end of the evening, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni cast doubt on his status as the head coach of the national team in yet another shocking turn of events.
Scaolini told reporters, “I need to think a lot about what I’m going to do.” “I need some time to reflect because the expectations are very high.
“It’s challenging to keep victory, and these people make it challenging.” This time, I’ll inform the president and the players that it’s time to reflect. This team need a coach with boundless energy.”
Argentina’s victory puts them atop the World Cup qualification standings, while Brazil, under temporary head coach Fernando Diniz, who most recently guided Fluminense to Copa Libertadores gold, is currently mired in sixth position and hasn’t won in four games.
The South American World Cup qualification system consists of eighteen rounds. The top six nations advance to the 2026 competition, while the seventh-placed nation competes in the FIFA play-offs, which also feature six teams from other continents.