The Conmebol World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium faced a nearly 30-minute delay on Tuesday night due to clashes between police and fans in the Rio de Janeiro stands.
Argentina ultimately secured a 1-0 victory with a second-half goal from Nicolás Otamendi, marking Brazil’s first-ever home loss in World Cup qualifying, breaking their previous 51-13-0 record in 64 such matches.
Tensions erupted during the national anthems, leading to confrontations between locals, Argentine fans, and the police. Brazilian law enforcement responded with batons, and in retaliation, fans tore up seats and hurled them at officers. The chaos prompted panic among spectators, some of whom rushed onto the pitch. Emergency personnel escorted at least one injured fan out on a stretcher.
An altercation erupted as fans clashed with stadium police ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualification football match at Maracanã Stadium. Image credit: TNT Sports
Argentina players, including Lionel Messi, appealed for calm before leaving the field. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez approached the railing in front of their supporters, urging police to cease violence. Messi highlighted the impact on players and their families in the affected area and criticized the police, drawing parallels to incidents in the Copa Libertadores.
scenes in the stands at Maracanã between Brazilian police and Argentina fans.
Argentina communicated to their Brazilian counterparts that they would only resume play once the situation was under control. After a 22-minute hiatus in the dressing room, they returned, conducted a brief warm-up, and restarted the game.
As the match recommenced, a significant police presence surrounded cheering Argentina fans, with added security on the pitch. All 69,000 tickets were sold, and despite initial jeers and applause for Messi from Brazil fans, chants against him emerged after the brawl.
While Brazil players stayed on the field, Argentina players, led by Messi, returned after the disruption. Messi, in a post-match Instagram message, celebrated the victory but strongly condemned the fan violence in Brazil.
“This team continues to make history…Great victory at the Maracana, although marred by the repression of Argentina fans in Brazil. This madness can’t be tolerated and has to end now!” Messi asserted.
Many Brazilian fans had demonstrated their support for Messi prior to the game by dressing their kids in shirts from Barcelona and Inter Miami, two of his former teams.
Argentina leads the South American World Cup qualifying rankings after five matches, having accrued 12 points, while Brazil is in fifth place. The 10-team round-robin competition saw both teams lose their prior matches.