At the Maracana, world champions Argentina inflicted their first ever home defeat on Brazil in World Cup qualifying, in a match that started half an hour late due to incidents in the stands.
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi was not the star, but it was Nicolas Otamendi who gave the Albiceleste victory with a 63rd-minute goal. The win in the legendary Brazilian football fortress of Rio de Janeiro allowed Argentina to remain top of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and to bow out after a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay on Thursday, their first since winning the world title in Qatar.
Brazil, for its part, is sinking into crisis, with the third consecutive defeat after losing to Colombia and Uruguay. Coach Fernando Diniz's men are down to sixth place, the last synonym of direct qualification for the World Cup.
Clashes in the stands, match suspended for 20 minutes
The South American derby between Brazil and Argentina has resumed, twenty minutes after the Argentine world champions left the pitch at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro due to clashes between Argentine fans and police in the stands.
The match, which was due to start at 1,30 Italian time, has finally resumed, with increased security at the stadium in the sector where most of the Argentine fans are located and the epicentre of the clashes.
Article published on November 22, 2023 - 09:19
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