Argentina, the world champions, defeated Brazil 1-0 in a tense World Cup qualifying match at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana. Tuesday’s kickoff was delayed by almost thirty minutes due to brawls between supporters of Argentina and Brazil. The highly anticipated match between the two dominant teams in South American football was scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. local time (00:30 p.m. GMT on Wednesday), but it was postponed owing to disruptions in the stands. At one point, Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez attempted to lunge into the seating section to challenge a Brazilian policeman with a baton.

Before Argentina captain Lionel Messi led his colleagues into the tunnel, a number of players approached the agitation in what appeared to be an attempt to settle down.

It was overheard that Messi said, “We’re not playing, we’re leaving,” as he left the field.

Messi got into a verbal altercation with Rodrygo Goes, a winger for Brazil, after he appeared to refer to the Argentina players as “cowards”.

Before Joelinton received a straight red card for an on-the-field altercation with Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, his team was already behind 1-0. Three Brazil players had previously received bookings during the first half.

Argentina players tried to calm down the situation in the stands

In the sixty-third minute, defender Nicolas Otamendi gave Argentina the lead with a header from Giovani Lo Celso’s cross following a corner.

Later on, Messi clarified that he had removed his teammates from the pitch in an effort to calm things down.

“We thought that going to the locker room would help to defuse the tension. We went to check on our relatives and other loved ones. And then we returned,” Messi remarked following the game.

Argentina’s victory became their first on Brazilian soil in a World Cup qualifier.

Brazil, the five-time champions, now sit in sixth place after six games following their defeat.