The World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina on Tuesday evening was mired by violence in the crowds, as police clashed with visiting supporters at the Maracana.
A fiery rivalry at the best of times, there was an added edge to this game, with Argentina arriving to the home of Brazilian football as world champions for the first time since 1989. Meanwhile, their opponents were looking to end a two-game losing streak on home soil.
Things would unfortunately kick off in the stands before they did on the pitch, with violence in the stands breaking out during the national anthems.
Ultimately, the Argentina players were forced to step in in an attempt to end the violence in the away end.
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Brazil v Argentina descends into chaos
The violence at the Maracana is said to have begun when Argentinean fans began fighting during the national anthems ahead of Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier against Brazil.
Police stepped in to break up the violence, but appeared to be heavy handed in their use of force and, in reality, only appeared to escalate the situation. The BBC reported that the police "charged" at Argentina supporters.
Things escalated when fans responded to the police's charge by ripping out seats and throwing them at police, as chaos descended upon the Maracana.
Video footage from inside the stadium not only shows the shocking violence on display, but also groups of fans fleeing to the safety of the pitch to protect themselves.
Discretion is advised for the below video clips.
Selvageria no Maracanã #brasil #argentina pic.twitter.com/Azz8RKE47p
— Igor Rodrigues (@_igorrodrigues) November 22, 2023
Mira al terrible cagon del policia no se la banco mano a mano y fue a buscar un palo pic.twitter.com/UAy7EzoIxF
— roman🧉 (@RIQUELMEARDO) November 22, 2023
Kick-off was delayed, and the Argentinean players approached their fans in an attempt to calm the situation.
The players were led by their World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, and were joined by Brazilian captain Marquinhos.
Goalkepeer Emi Martinez would eventually get involved by attempting to grab a baton from a police officer in the crowd.
After witnessing police beating fans in the Maracana before Brazil vs Argentina last night, Emi Martinez, alongside Messi and co took matters in to his own hands by trying to grab a baton out of a police officer's hand according to the BBC.
South American football is wild. pic.twitter.com/ydNiWUyjm4— Gianni Butticè (@GianniButtice) November 22, 2023
The deeply unsavoury scenes eventually led the Argentina squad to retreat to the dressing rooms for ten minutes (to a chorus of boos from the home fans), as kick off was pushed back further.
Ultimately, the game would kick off 30 minutes late after Argentina fans were moved to a separate section of the stadium.
When the teams returned to the pitch, a remark appeared to be made by Brazil winger Rodrygo towards Lionel Messi which angered the Argentina captain, and caused tempers to flare once more.
Achei que o Rodrygo ia sair na mão com o Messi KKKKKK
🎥 TV Globo pic.twitter.com/jPVcgM9kX0— SFC PEIXE (@sfc_peixee) November 22, 2023
Speaking after his side won 1-0 thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi goal, Messi reflected on the situation and compared it to the similar violence which occurred in the Maracana ahead of the Copa Libertadores final earlier this month:
It was bad because we saw how they were beating people. The police, as happened in the Libertadores final, were once again repressing the people with night sticks.
We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, it could have ended in tragedy.
You think about the families, the people who are there, who don't know what's going on and we were more concerned about that than playing a match that, at that point, was of secondary importance.
The Guardian report that at least one injured fan was brought from the stands on a stretcher amid Tuesday night's chaos.
Argentina's night of chaos was not fully over, as manager Lionel Scaloni would reveal at full time that he is considering resigning from his role to allow the FA to appoint a "coach who has all the energy possible and who is well."
Tuesday night's result leaves Argentina top of the qualifying group with five wins from six, while Brazil are in 6th, with three straight losses a cause for concern for fans of the Seleção.
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