22/11/2023–|Last updated: 11/22/202306:36 PM (Mecca time)
Before the start of the confrontation between Brazil and its host Argentina in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, it was clear that it would be derailed due to riots in the stands, violence and quarrels on the field.
The police clashed with fans before the match, delaying its start for 30 minutes, amid concerns among players about the safety of fans.
Fans of Brazil and Argentina began quarrels during the playing of the Brazilian national anthem, prompting police to file charges against fans of the visiting team, who responded by throwing stands seats at security personnel.
Many fans were seen smashing stadium chairs and using them as weapons.
The situation on the pitch was no better, as the numbers reveal that the referee counted 42 fouls, three yellow cards and one red (all for Brazil).
These numbers were reflected in quarrels and exchanges between the “Samba” and “Tango” players, the most prominent of which was the altercation between the Argentine Rodrigo de Paul, the Atletico Madrid player, and the Brazilian Rodrigo, the Real Madrid striker, in which the Argentine Lionel Messi, captain of the “Albiceleste”, intervened.
The chaotic scene at Maracana during Brazil vs Argentina world cup qualification match 🤯🤯🤯
Raphinha Endrick Joelinton Anthony pic.twitter.com/m9kWbNR2uf— arbab niccur🇰🇪🇰🇪 (@ArbabNiccur) November 22, 2023
Emi Martinez clashing with the Brazilian police who assaulted fans 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mThOGe9mlj
— Dirty Footballer 👊 (@DirtyFootbaIIer) November 22, 2023
The Real Madrid striker described the Argentine national team players as “cowards” after they withdrew to the dressing rooms following clashes between fans and the police, whose treatment of the fans by Messi described as “brutal”.
What happened between Leo Messi and Rodrygo on match Brazil vs Argentina 🤷♂️pic.twitter.com/QXDEKhKVUY
— Football Enthusiasm (@Footballers501) November 22, 2023
Rodrigo told Messi and Rodrigo de Paul, you are “cowards” for going to the locker rooms.
Messi responded, “We are world champions, why are we cowards? Watch your words,” according to the Argentine “TYC Sport” channel.
Many other players from both teams joined in to make sure the altercation did not turn into a brawl, as Messi was seen putting his hand on Rodrigo’s neck.
The world champions insisted that they would not return to the field until order was restored, and they did so after spending more than 20 minutes in the dressing room.
“We went to the dressing room because it was the best way to calm everything down, and it could have ended in tragedy,” Messi said.
“You think about the families, the people out there, who don’t know what’s going on, and we were more concerned with that than playing a game. At that stage, it was of secondary importance,” he added.
Brazil’s first defeat at home
The Argentine national team decided its match against its Brazilian counterpart with a single goal scored by Nicolas Otamendi in the 63rd minute.
The Argentine team thus raised its score to 15 points, alone at the top, two points ahead of the second-placed Uruguay team.
As for the Brazilian team, it suffered its third defeat in a row, leaving its score frozen at 7 points in sixth place.
This is Brazil’s first ever loss at home in World Cup qualifiers.
