Brazil vs Argentina – Blood, mayhem and Otamendi’s winning goal
Brazil vs Argentina has always been one of the most anticipated football fixtures, and the 2026 World Cup qualifying at Maracana was no different.
There were brawls, blood, and red cards as Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal to maintain La Albiceleste’s perfect run in Brazil in a game that witnessed absolute chaos.
A thunderous header by Nicolas Otamendi saw Argentina win a physical clash at the Maracana with rivals Brazil, keeping the Albiceleste atop the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings.
Yet that was nothing more than subtext for the overall narrative of the match, which was delayed by half an hour for violent clashes in the stands. The animosity transferred to the pitch across the 90 minutes, as Argentina and Brazil played to a foul fest with few chances.
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Brazil vs Argentina – Kickoff delayed
A fight is in the stands as Argentina fans clash with Brazilian police. It’s absolute chaos in the away end. The match was about to kick off, but now the players have been told to wait as things are sorted out.
Fists were thrown, and police used clubs to dispatch the brawls, but only to make things worse.
It seems the clash was started between the two sets of fans, and Brazilian police responded angrily to the away fans. Argentina supporters are furious with how the local police are treating them, as they were attacked with clubs viciously, responding by ripping up chairs and throwing them at security—ugly scenes.
Things have continued as Brazilian police have begun to aggressively clear out the away stand, as Argentine fans go streaming for cover. It’s absolute mayhem. What a mess
Brazil vs Argentina – Match suspended
Lionel Messi and the Argentine players attempted to help sort things out as fans continued to clash with police, but the referees pulled the players off the pitch. The players are headed back to the dressing room.
This match was suddenly at risk of being called off if things didn’t calm down soon. The players and staff of both teams seem distressed, especially those from Argentina.
Brazil head coach Fernando Diniz and some Brazil players have remained out on the pitch as the fan violence continues. However, all Argentina players and staff have exited the pitch at Lionel Messi’s request. The match remains in the balance, and the violence has bloodied some fans.
Match resumed
Argentine players were seen returning to the pitch.
Television is showing live footage of the away end, and it’s mostly been sorted out. There doesn’t appear to be any violent action in the visitor stand, so the match could finally resume.
Brazilian security has had another absolute failure. There were clashes between Brazilian police and Argentina fans at the Copa Libertadores fan fest just weeks ago, and it happens again here. A full review of how Brazilian authorities handle these significant spectator events needs to be done.
Before the players left the pitch, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was filmed attempting to keep Brazilian police from attacking Argentine supporters before his teammates pulled him back.
Game highlights
Gabriel Martinelli came up empty with Brazil’s best opportunity of the match, firing a shot right at Emiliano Martinez just after halftime, and that would prove vital as Otamendi’s towering header off a corner past the hour mark was enough to see out the three points.
Brazil played wildly out of control for much of the game and whistled for an enormous 25 fouls throughout the match, but it felt harsh when Joelinton was sent off with eight minutes to go as Rodrigo de Paul conned the referee with a blatant flop.
With the chaotic defeat, alarm bells will ring around the Brazil national team as they drop to sixth in the qualifying standings, having suffered three defeats across the opening six games.
Argentina have come to the Maracana once again and emerged victorious. The match was a foul fest from the start, and Brazil never asserted dominance throughout the game.
A third defeat in six matches will put Fernando Diniz under real pressure as they look to bide their time until Carlo Ancelotti arrives. The Selecao are down to sixth in the standings, which is unfamiliar territory.
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