Serious riots in the stands and a dismissal: Argentina’s prestige success in Brazil had unpleasant circumstances.
Shortly before the start of the World Cup qualifier, which the Albiceleste won 1-0 (0-0) on Tuesday (November 21, 2023, local time), violent turmoil broke out between both groups of fans in the stands of the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. The police used batons to contain the riots.
Some Argentina players moved towards the fan curve to have a calming effect on everyone involved before Lionel Messi and Co. temporarily left the pitch for around ten minutes. Ultimately the game started around 30 minutes late.
Argentina’s Otamendi scores with his head
“We went to the locker room to calm down a little”Messi said after the game: “We wanted to see how our families and the people close to us were doing. And then we came back.”
On the pitch, defender Nicolas Otamendi (63′) headed the Argentinians to such a prestigious success. The three-time world champion now leads the South American qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with 15 points from six games.
Red for Brazil’s Joelinton
“This group continues to achieve historic things,” said Messi: “Maybe that wasn’t the most important thing today, but it was a nice win.”
For record world champions Brazil, who had to make do without the injured superstars Neymar and Vinicius Junior, the bitter home defeat meant the next setback and already the third defeat in the current qualification. To make matters worse, former Hoffenheim player Joelinton (81st) was shown a red card after an assault.
The Selecao is in sixth place in the table with six points – the last direct qualification place for the World Cup.