Rio de Janeiro– The highly anticipated World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina faced a tumultuous start at Maracana Stadium on Tuesday as clashes between police and fans led to a half-hour delay.
Tensions escalated when local and Argentinian fans engaged in a brawl during the playing of the national anthems, prompting Brazilian police to intervene. In response, the visiting contingent retaliated by tearing up seats and hurling them at the officers. The chaotic scene prompted panic among spectators near the disturbance, leading some to rush onto the pitch to escape the unfolding violence. Emergency services were called to attend to at least one injured fan who was later evacuated from the stadium on a stretcher.
Despite the escalating chaos, the Argentina team, led by captain Lionel Messi, took a proactive stance. They approached the terraces in an attempt to calm the situation before deciding to leave the pitch and seek refuge in the dressing room.
The reigning world champions, Argentina, eventually resumed play after Brazilian police managed to contain the unruly fans in a designated area. The kickoff, initially scheduled for the stipulated time, experienced a delay of approximately 30 minutes.
Reflecting on the incident, Lionel Messi addressed reporters, expressing concern for the safety of the fans. “We saw how they were hitting the people; it already happened in the Libertadores final. We were more focused on that than on the game and went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down. A tragedy could have happened,” Messi emphasized.
Despite the tumultuous start, the match concluded with Argentina securing a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a second-half header by Nicolas Otamendi. The defeat marked Brazil’s first-ever home loss in a World Cup qualifier and their third consecutive loss, an unprecedented setback for the South American football powerhouse. Argentina now leads the standings with 15 points, while Brazil sits in sixth place with eight points, currently occupying the last spot that guarantees a berth at the 2026 finals.
The incident at Maracana Stadium serves as a stark reminder of the passionate following and intense rivalries that characterize South American football, urging authorities to remain vigilant in maintaining a safe and secure environment for both players and spectators.
