Messi departs the Maracanã early, and Argentina wins against Brazil after a brawl delays the game.
Before the game ever started, the rivalry among the two South American heavyweights intensified in Rio’s famous Maracana Stadium.
It was necessary for the Brazilian police to step in. An agitated environment was created when they broke up a group pf Argentine fans with batons.
The players from Argentina tried to diffuse the tension. Emi Martinez, the goalkeeper, even attempted to challenge a Brazilian policeman with a baton.
Brazil lost their first-ever World Cup qualifying match at home because a dispute between spectators delayed the match.
Rio de Janeiro (AP) Argentina’s team, led by Lionel Messi, celebrated their thrilling 1-0 victory over bitter foe Brazil on Tuesday as though they had captured the World Cup once more.
A large crowd flocked towards the Maracana to catch Messi play in a superclasico versus the home team, which was probably his final game in Brazil. Nicolás Otamendi, on the other hand, scored the game’s lone goal.
In the round-robin round, Brazil had lost three straight times; this was a setback for head coach Fernando Diniz.
Additionally, it marked the first home game in which their five-time World Cup winners have failed to score since 2009.
In the 78th minute, Messi exited the field to a mixture of cheers and jeers from the Brazil supporters.
Numerous kids showed up at the Maracana sporting shirts from Inter Miami and Barcelona, the star’s former team.
However, the Argentine great was unable to break through one of his final obstacles in the sport when he was unable to score in an Olympic qualifier held at the Maracana against the Brazilians.
After the victory, the Argentina team celebrated for ten minutes on the field because they now led the South American qualification rankings.
They also offered supporters one last opportunity to rejoice at the iconic Rio de Janeiro stadium after a win.
The Copa America championship was awarded to his squad two years ago when Ángel di Maria scored the lone goal in an empty Maracana.
“I’m overjoyed. After the final whistle, midfielder Rodrigo de Paul broke into a kneeling celebration and outstretched his arms, saying, “We made history once more and gave this pride to our people.”
This is how derbies work. We keep the ball if it’s necessary. We also suffer if we have to defend. We are the greatest squad in the world because of this.
The start was delayed by 27 minutes due to the violent beforehand incident that broke out just after the national anthems. For twenty-two minutes, Messi guided his team from the field to the dressing rooms.
One or more spectator exited the stadium with cuts to his head. Eight people were detained by Rio police as a result of the altercation.
Due to the aggressiveness of the fans on the field during the opening 20 minutes of the match, Brazil was given a string of fouls by the referee. Eventually, the tension subsided, saving Argentina from open conflict.
Brazil squandered chances, as seen by Raphinha’s 38th-minute free kick and Cristian Romero’s six minutes later save of Argentina close to the goal line following a cross from Gabriel Martinelli.
After the interval, Brazil kept up the pressure, and in the 54th, Rodrygo forced goalie Dibu Martinez to make a close-range save.
However, Argentina only managed a few half-hearted attempts before Otamendi’s header in the 63rd minute, after he had jumped beyond the Brazilian defense to meet a corner ball.
“Although this is a stunning victory, it pales in comparison to our accomplishments in Qatar,” Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said at a press conference. “You understand that winning here is difficult, but we did it.”