Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi heads the ball into the aim to win the sport for Argentina in opposition to Brazil within the World Cup qualifier at the Maracana on November 21, 2023
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Nicolas Otamendi scored with a towering header to present Argentina a 1-0 away win over Brazil in a bad-tempered World Cup qualifier that was delayed by half an hour on Tuesday after police clashed with followers at a sold-out Maracana Stadium.
The longstanding sporting rivalry between two of probably the most profitable groups in world soccer hit fever pitch after the Brazilian police charged Argentinian followers in response to preventing within the stands in the course of the nationwide anthems.
The world champions, led by captain Lionel Messi, went over to the terraces to attempt to calm the state of affairs earlier than leaving the pitch and returning to the dressing room for greater than 10 minutes.
The gamers finally returned and the match began in a tumult of noise as native followers roared their help of the five-times world champions, who had been trying to get their marketing campaign again on observe after shedding successive qualifiers for the primary time.
Instead, they plunged to a third straight defeat, their first ever at residence in a World Cup qualifier, to face sixth within the standings, eight factors behind leaders Argentina and within the final spot that ensures a berth at the 2026 finals.
“The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” Argentina captain Lionel Messi instructed reporters.
Players of Argentina attempt to calm the crowd after a combat between Brazilian and Argentinian followers broke out within the stands previous to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 21, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
AP
“Obviously, at the beginning it was bad because we saw how they were beating people.
“You take into consideration the household, the people who find themselves there, who do not know what is going on on and we’re extra involved about that than enjoying a match. At that time the match was secondary…
“After that, winning this game like this I think is one of the most important wins that this group has achieved.
“It is one thing very good to have the ability to win right here in Brazil, after how sturdy they’ve been at residence all through their historical past.”
After all the pre-match drama, it was a nervy first half with 22 fouls, three bookings and several skirmishes as rival players frequently faced off and the referee flashed cards in an attempt to calm the situation.
Brazil were arguably the better side and almost scored from a corner just before halftime through a Gabriel Martinelli strike that defender Christian Romero cleared off the goal line.
Despite being without key players like Vinicius Jr and Neymar because of injuries and losing their captain Marquinhos to a leg issue halfway throughout the game, Brazil kept up the pressure.
They wasted a golden opportunity to score in the 47th minute when Martinelli missed an absolute sitter, striking a close-range shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Argentina held on and made the most of one of the few chances they created in the 63rd minute, when defender Otamendi rose high to power home a Giovani Lo Celso corner.
It was Argentina’s only shot on target and Brazil’s misery was compounded when substitute midfielder Joelinton was sent off for hitting Rodrigo de Paul in the face in the 82nd minute, only three minutes after he came off the bench.
