Brazil: In a historic clash, Argentina secured a 1-0 victory against Brazil in World Cup qualifying, marked by a brawl that delayed the game. Nicolás Otamendi’s crucial goal, a header from a corner kick in the 63rd minute, sealed the win. The match, expected to be Lionel Messi’s last in Brazil, witnessed a tumultuous start with fan violence, leading to a 27-minute delay.
Despite jeers and applause, Messi left the pitch in the 78th minute. The victory marked Argentina’s first-ever World Cup qualifying win on Brazilian soil, handing Brazil its third consecutive loss in the tournament under new coach Fernando Diniz. The Maracana Stadium, where Messi couldn’t break his scoring barrier against Brazil in a qualifier, became the stage for Argentina’s triumph, reminiscent of their Copa America victory two years ago.
The violent pre-match incident, which saw arrests and injuries, set the tone for a tense encounter. The referee’s early fouls against Brazil reflected the charged atmosphere. Argentina’s resilience, coupled with Otamendi’s decisive goal, thwarted Brazil’s attempts, including Rodrygo’s close-range effort in the 54th minute.
The match ended on a contentious note as Joelinton received a red card in the 81st minute for an altercation with Rodrigo de Paul. Brazil fans chanted “ole” for Argentina, while the visiting supporters celebrated on the pitch. Argentina now leads the South American qualifying standings with 15 points, followed by Uruguay with 13 and Colombia. Brazil faces the prospect of ending the year in sixth position with seven points.
In other matches, Colombia won 1-0 against Paraguay, Uruguay triumphed 3-0 over Bolivia, and Ecuador secured a 1-0 victory against Chile. The South American qualifying competition will resume in September after the Copa America, with the top six teams earning direct entry to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The seventh-place team will have an opportunity for an intercontinental playoff.