Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@_igorrodrigues
Topics: Argentina, Brazil, Football World Cup, Lionel Messi, Football
Marcus Chan
Topics: Argentina, Brazil, Football World Cup, Lionel Messi, Football
Footage has emerged after fans clashed with police ahead of Brazil vs Argentina.
On Tuesday night, Argentina travelled to Rio de Janeiro for a 2026 World Cup qualifier against arch-rivals Brazil at the famous Maracana stadium.
However, the kickoff was delayed after fans clashed with local police in the stands. You can watch the footage below.
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As shown in the video, the police were seen using batons on the fans who were brawling.
One fan was seen lying on the floor with blood streaming from his head.
The likes of Lionel Messi and Marquinhos were seen trying to calm things down as they approached the stands.
As a result of the chaos, Messi led the Argentina team back into the changing room.
Showing his displeasure on Instagram, injured Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez wrote: “It's a shame to see what Brazilian police are doing! So how can that be possible? How long we have to see these scenes?! It's always the same [in Brazil].”
After the mayhem was halted, the match got underway. In the first half, a total of 22 fouls were made as the referee brandished three yellow cards.
Eventually, Argentina secured a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a goal from defender Nicolas Otamendi in the 63rd minute.
The reigning world champions are now top of the CONMEBOL standings with 15 points, two points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.
Meanwhile, Brazil find themselves in sixth place having only amassed seven points from their six matches.
On the back of the result, Argentina legend Messi launched a scathing attack on the police.
He said: “We saw how [police] were hitting the people, it already happened in the Libertadores final. They were more focused on that than on the game.
“We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened.”
Messi added: “We are a family. We decided to play to make the situation more calm.”