Shocking scenes took place before kick-off as a historic night for Argentina was overshadowed during Brazil’s home World Cup Qualifying match against the world champions.
Argentina beat Brazil at the Maracanã stadium by a solitary goal through a thumping header from a corner scored by ex- Manchester city defender Nicolas Otamendi in the second half.
However, the scenes that took place before kick-off were truly disturbing as armed Brazilian police were seen attacking the Argentine fans behind the goal with batons and forced that section of the crowd to retreat.
Gory images later emerged of an Argentine fan been stretchered out of the stadium after sustaining injuries to his head alongside several other fans who were seen crying and clearly distressed.
Whilst preparing for kick-off both sets of players noticed the struggle taking place in the stands and proceeded to run over to that part of the stadium.
The Argentine goalkeeper, who had recently won the Puskas award at the Ballon D’or ceremony in Paris, was seen furiously arguing with police as the violence unfolded.
The Brazilian captain and Paris Saint-Germain defender, Marquinhos was seen trying to calm down the Argentine players who had formed a crowd pitch-side just below where the action was taking place.
Marquinhos said, “There’s a family here, calm down, guys, you have to let them” whilst referring to the police doing their job in keeping supporters safe.
8-time Ballon D’or winner and Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi then took his team down the tunnel and off the pitch stating “We can’t play in these circumstances” as kick-off was hence delayed.
Argentina returned to the field 15 minutes later, but tensions remained high as Brazilian forward Rodrygo was seen having a heated argument with Messi moments before the kick off eventually took place and the game finally started.
Tensions continued into the game as the first half of the match saw an astonishing 22 fouls which averaged to one happening every two minutes.
The Albiceleste held on to the win following a second half goal from Otamendi and a straight red card to Brazilian substitute Joelinton, who saw his marching orders after lashing out at Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.
Argentina had managed a historic victory as the Selecao lost their first ever home world cup qualifier at the same venue that Argentina lifted the Copa America against them back in July 2021.
Speaking in an angry post-match interview, the Argentine captain said, “ A tragedy could have happened, It’s pure repression against Argentinians. It can’t be accepted. It’s madness. It had to stop immediately”.
“We saw here how the police were hitting people…it’s not the first time it happens in Brazil” says Leo Messi. “There were also some of our families there and the same happened in the Copa Libertadores final.”
“They are more focused on that…than on playing the game on the pitch”. “We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down and avoid tragedy”.
“Tonight, we made history but it’s important to say that it will be marked by the repression of Brazilians against Argentinians once again”.
Fellow Argentine player and Manchester United centre back, Lisandro Martinez spoke on his Instagram story about his opinion on the violence that took place at the Maracanã stadium.
“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)!!!”
Brazil have now lost three World Cup qualifying games in a row for the first time in their history and have not won in five games with four losses and a draw against Peru in that period.
Long term injuries to star players, Neymar and Vinicius Junior, now means that their last win was a home victory against Bolivia on the ninth of September.
The five-time world champions now sit a precarious sixth in the South American World Cup Qualifiers, only two points off Paraguay who currently occupy the spot for World Cup Qualifying playoffs.
Argentina are two points clear at the top of the same qualifying table with their only defeat, since losing to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup, being a two-nil defeat away to Uruguay earlier in the week.
