ARGENTINA handed Brazil their first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifying match, beating their fierce rivals 1-0 at the famed Maracana Stadium in the early hours of today.
Nicolas Otamendi headed home the only goal in the bad-tempered 2026 World Cup qualifier that was delayed by 30 minutes after police clashed with fans at the sold-out iconic stadium.
The well-known rivalry between two of the most successful teams in world football escalated after Brazilian police charged Argentinian fans in response to fighting in the stands during the national anthems.
World champions Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, went over to the fans to try and calm the situation before leaving the pitch and returning to the dressing room for more than 10 minutes.
The players eventually returned and the match started noisily as Brazil fans roared their support of the five-times world champions, who were aiming to get their campaign back on track after losing back-to-back qualifiers for the first time.
Instead, Brazil fell to a third consecutive defeat and first home loss in a World Cup qualifier in history to drop to sixth in the South American qualifying table, eight points behind leaders Argentina and in the last spot that guarantees a ticket to the United States, Canada and Mexico, hosts of the 2026 tournament.
The pre-match drama spilled over to the pitch as the chaotic first half saw 22 fouls, three bookings and several confrontations as rival players frequently faced off and the referee issued cards in an attempt to calm the situation.
Brazil almost scored from a corner just before half-time through a Gabriel Martinelli strike that Tottenham defender Christian Romero cleared off the goal line.
Arsenal forward Martinelli was involved again early in the second half, failing to score past Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez when presented with a big chance.
Argentina, who lost their previous qualifier at home to Uruguay, held on to their clean sheet and made the most of one of the few chances they created in the 63rd minute when central defender Otamendi netted with a powerful header off Giovani Lo Celso’s corner kick.
It was Argentina’s only shot on target and it got worse for Brazil when substitute midfielder Joelinton was sent off for hitting Rodrigo de Paul in the face in the 82nd minute, only three minutes after the Newcastle United star came off the bench.
“The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” Messi told reporters after the match.
“Obviously, at the beginning it was bad because we saw how they were beating people.
“You think about the family, the people who are there, who don’t know what’s going on and we are more concerned about that than playing a match. At that point the match was secondary…
“After that, winning this game like this I think is one of the most important wins that this group has achieved. It is something very nice to be able to win here in Brazil, after how strong they have been at home throughout their history.”
