The Brazil-Argentina of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers began almost half an hour late due to a widespread fight in the stands of the Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro before the start of the South American superclassic. Led by Leo Messi, the Argentine team went to the locker room and returned to the field after being absent for 17 minutes after the fight broke out and was repressed by the police.
The incidents began when the loudspeakers of the Rio de Janeiro stadium played the Argentine anthem and a fight broke out between some Brazilian and visiting fans that lasted for several minutes. As the police were unable to contain the spirits, the Argentine players, who were already positioning themselves for the start of the match, went in a group to the south stand of the Maracaná to ask the fans for calm.
Members of the Argentine delegation also intervened after some fans appeared bleeding, apparently due to police repression. As the police occupied part of the chairs intended for the Argentines and did not allow the return of those who were sitting in them, the Albiceleste players went to the locker room and said they would wait a few minutes for the situation to be controlled.
The last classic for the World Cup qualifiers between Argentina and Brazil, played in 2021 in Sao Paulo, was also conflictive. It was interrupted five minutes after the initial whistle due to the presence of health agents on the field who accused four Argentine players of having violated the covid prevention rules for not having respected the quarantine. Given the embarrassing situation, and with the two teams qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the match that was postponed was never completed.
Argentina dealt the Brazilian team the third loss in a row, the first at home in the history of the qualifiers, and left it plunged into a crisis at the end of the sixth day, which left the world champion solidly at the top. and Uruguay as escort.
The joy of the albiceleste at the end of the match at the Maracaná stadium was overshadowed by the demonstration of coach Lionel Scaloni, who at a press conference left his permanence in office on hold. He explained that the bar for Argentina's achievements has been set very high and the players need a coach who has "all possible energy."
A goal by Nicolás Otamendi in the 62nd minute in the superclásico inflicted a tough defeat on his rival who had never lost at home in the South American qualifiers to finish the year at the top of the standings with 15 points.
Brazil added its third defeat and this Tuesday's, the most humiliating. With 7 points he occupies sixth place, the last place that guarantees a direct place for the 2026 World Cup. And on the tightrope is the interim coach, Fernando Diniz, whose head was shouted for by the public, who applauded every play by the Argentines. .
The heated atmosphere in the stands transferred to the field of play and as a result there was one sent off: Joelinton, in the 82nd minute, for an attack on Rodrigo De Paul. As a precaution, Messi had to leave the field early, in the 76th minute, due to physical problems.
