World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina, which was scheduled to take place at the Maracana Stadium on Tuesday night, experienced an unexpected delay. The commencement of the game was postponed by nearly half an hour due to a sudden outbreak of clashes.
Argentina's players walked off the pitch and the start of Brazil vs. Argentina has been delayed after fights broke out in the stands pic.twitter.com/xMjz1zljgs
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 22, 2023
These clashes were not between the rival teams on the field, but rather involved the fans in the stands and the police. The Maracana Stadium, located in Rio de Janeiro, became the epicenter of these unexpected disturbances. The fans, who had gathered in large numbers to support their respective teams, found themselves in a confrontation with the police.
Argentina emerged victorious in the match against Brazil, securing a 1-0 win. The lone goal of the match came in the second half, courtesy of Nicolás Otamendi.
This match was significant as it handed Brazil their first-ever defeat on home soil in World Cup qualifiers. Prior to this game, Brazil had an impressive record, boasting 51 wins, 13 draws, and no losses in 64 matches.
However, Otamendi’s goal shattered this record, introducing a new chapter in the annals of World Cup qualifying history. This unexpected outcome has undoubtedly left a profound impact on the Brazilian team and their fans.
A tense atmosphere enveloped the Maracana Stadium during the playing of the national anthems, marking the beginning of an unfortunate series of events. The locals and the Argentinian fans, found themselves involved in a heated argument.
The situation escalated rapidly, the conflict among the spectators reached a point where it could no longer be ignored, prompting the police to intervene. In an attempt to restore order, the officers charged at the Argentinian.
As the conflict between the fans and the police escalated, a wave of panic swept through the spectators situated near the epicenter of the trouble. The escalating violence and the sight of police charging with batons triggered a fear-induced reaction among these fans. In a desperate bid to escape the unfolding chaos, they found themselves spilling onto the pitch.
Warning: disturbing images.
This is what happened in the stands of Brazil vs Argentina before the game between the police and Argentina fans.
pic.twitter.com/DOHO9l0PDo
— Carlos (@SoyCarco) November 22, 2023
The Argentina players made a valiant attempt to restore calm. They turned to the stands, appealing to their supporters to cease the violence and maintain peace. Messi guided his teammates away from the turmoil and back to the relative safety of the dressing room.
Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez also displayed commendable courage and quick thinking. Recognizing the escalating situation, he raced towards one of the rails separating the pitch from the stands. This area was directly in front of his team’s fans, who were at the heart of the conflict.
Martínez confronted the police officers, pleading with them to cease their aggressive actions and stop the violence.
Argentina vs Brazil has always been an exciting fixture but not once did I expect to see this 😭pic.twitter.com/Apg3dChthY
— Reasons (@LFCReasons) November 22, 2023
“We saw how they [the police] were hitting people and many players had family members in that area. We couldn’t focused on playing the game,” Messi said after the game. “This also happened here in the Copa Libertadores. [The Brazilian police] again repressing the people.”
The Argentine team found themselves in a tense standoff with their Brazilian counterparts. The Argentine players made it clear that they would not step back onto the field until they were assured of a calm and controlled environment. They sought refuge in the sanctuary of their dressing room, waiting patiently for the situation to deescalate.
The standoff lasted for a significant duration of 22 minutes, during which the Argentine team remained in the dressing room, away from the escalating tensions on the pitch.
Once they were satisfied that the situation had calmed down, the Argentine team made their way back onto the pitch. However, they did not immediately plunge back into the game. Instead, they took an additional three minutes to warm up, ensuring that they were physically ready to resume the match. Finally, after a total delay of 25 minutes, the game was restarted.
“We decided to leave the field because it was impossible to play under those conditions. And we also thought we going back to the locker room could help to calm down the situation,” Messi added.
The Argentine fans, who had come in large numbers to support their team, found themselves encircled by police officers. The fans, undeterred by the heavy security presence, continued to cheer enthusiastically for their team.
The police officers were particularly concentrated around a specific section of the stadium. This section, capable of accommodating approximately 3,000 fans.
The match was a sell-out event, with all 69,000 tickets finding their way into the hands of eager fans. The anticipation was visible, the stadium buzzing with excitement.
The tension escalated, and the mood among the Brazilian fans shifted noticeably. When Messi made his return to the pitch following the disruption, he was met with chants from the Brazilian fans. The cheers that had once filled the air were replaced by a chorus of disapproval.
The Brazilian players chose to stay on the pitch during the disruption. They utilized this unexpected break in play as an opportunity to keep their muscles warm and stay in the zone, both physically and mentally.
Following Argentina’s victory over Brazil, Lionel Messi, took to his Instagram account to express his thoughts on the match.
“This team continues to make history…Great victory at the Maracana although it will be marked by the repression of Argentina fans once again in Brazil. This madness can’t be tolerated, and it has to end now!!,” Messi said.
Prior to the commencement of the match, an interesting phenomenon was observed among the Brazilian fans. Despite the intense rivalry between Brazil and Argentina on the football field, many Brazilian fans displayed a surprising warmth towards the Argentine star player, Lionel Messi.
This affection was particularly evident among the younger spectators. Dozens of children were spotted in the crowd, proudly donning Messi jerseys.
South American World Cup qualifiers, Argentina has emerged as the frontrunner. They have successfully secured the top spot with a total of 12 points, a commendable achievement considering they have only played five matches so far.
On the other hand, Brazil, currently finds itself in the fifth position. The competition format is a round-robin, involving 10 teams.
These developments add an intriguing layer of complexity to the World Cup qualifiers. As the competition progresses, it will be fascinating to see how Argentina maintains its lead and how Brazil strategizes to climb up the rankings. Football fans worldwide are eagerly watching, anticipating the thrilling matches that lie ahead.
ALSO READ | Ballon d’Or 2023: Messi wins for the eighth time toward Haaland