 "Watch: Violence delays start to Brazil vs Argentina World Cup Qualifier")
The kick-off in the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Brazil and Argentina was delayed by around 30 minutes on Tuesday after clashes amongst rival supporters in the Maracana Stadium. Argentina went on to win 1-0 when the game eventually resumed. Clash of the heavyweights was due to kick off at 9.30pm local time (0030 GMT/6 AM IST Wednesday) but was held up after disturbances in the stands. Brazilian police could be seen beating back Argentina fans at one end of the stadium with batons. Parts of seating were thrown and hit some spectators behind one of the goals. At least one fan left the stadium bleeding from his head.
Amid the violence, Argentina players, led by captain Lionel Messi, left the field and returned 27 minutes later as police struggled to quell the crowd trouble. “We’re not playing, we’re leaving,” Messi appeared to say as he left the pitch with his teammates. Argentina players appealed to fans to remain calm before heading to the locker rooms. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez jumped near one of the rails in front of the Argentina fans to ask police to stop the violence.
Kick-off has been delayed at the Maracana, as Brazil and Argentina players tried to help separate a brawl between opposing fans in one of the stands.
— SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) November 22, 2023
The players have since returned to the tunnels until further notice.#WCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/jNoce4GDMB
DISGRACEFUL SCENES BEFORE BRAZIL VS ARGENTINA GAME
— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) November 22, 2023
Police seen hitting fans with batons and sticks to break up fights between #Argentina and #Brazil fans. Argentina team walks off the pitch. pic.twitter.com/1ZoXepxh7R
Even as Argentina team walked off the pitch, Brazil players remained on the pitch and warmed up while waiting for their rivals to return. “We saw how they 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 said afterwards. “This group continues to achieve historic things.”
Brazilian police giving a baton to a Brazilian fan so he could attack Argentinians.
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 22, 2023
This is crazy. Disgrace. pic.twitter.com/01ppZmVdqt
Things boiled over on the field as well. Aer TyC Sports, Brazil’s Rodrygo called Messi and Co as “cowards” to which the Argentine skipper replied with, “We are the world champions, why are we cowards? Look at your mouth.” Following the win, Argentina players celebrated in front of their fans by singing, “A minute of silence to Brazil who’s dead.” All 69,000 tickets for the match in Rio de Janeiro were sold out.
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