The Brazil-Argentina match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers started almost half an hour late due to a widespread brawl in the stands of the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro before the start of the South American classic.
The Argentine national team even retired 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 loudspeakers at 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.
Argentina's Lionel Messi tries to control riots between fans of Brazil and Argentina.Andre CoelhoEFE
As the police were unable to contain their 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 Maracanã to ask the fans to calm down.
Members of the Argentine delegation also intervened after some fans were found bleeding, apparently from police repression.
As the police occupied part of the chairs intended for the Argentines and did not allow those who were sitting on them to return, the Albiceleste players went to the locker room and said they would wait a few minutes for the situation to be controlled.
The last World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil, played in 2021 in Sao Paulo, was interrupted five minutes into the game by health officials who accused four Albiceleste players of violating covid prevention rules by not having kept a quarantine.
Fans leave a grandstand due to riots between fans of Brazil and Argentina.Andre CoelhoEFE
Given the embarrassing situation, and with the two teams qualified for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the match that was postponed was never completed.
- Argentina national football team
- Brazil national football team
- Leo Messi