2026 WCQ: How Argentina Subdued Brazil After Crowd Violence To Go Top

History was made in the Maracana stadium on Tuesday night when Nicolas Otamendi’s towering header from a corner gave Argentina a 1-0 win and, in the process, inflicted Brazil’s first-ever defeat at home in World Cup qualification.

The world champions will return home not only atop the South American qualifying standings but also gave their fans one more chance to celebrate a victory at the historic stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Two years ago, Ángel di Maria scored the only goal in an empty Maracana to give his team the Copa America title.

The violent pre-match incident, starting shortly after the national anthems, stalled the start for 27 minutes. Argentina, led by Messi, headed to the locker rooms for 22 minutes. At least one fan left the stadium bleeding from his head. Rio police said they had arrested eight people due to the brawl.

ESPN reports that the aggression between fans was reflected on the field in the first 20 minutes of the encounter with a referee giving fouls against Brazil during the time. The tension eased and allowed Argentina to avoid direct confrontation.

Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi scored to lead his team to a 1-0 win over Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier group match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

It was Brazil’s third consecutive loss in the round-robin tournament — another negative mark for new coach Fernando Diniz.

Messi left the pitch in the 78th minute amid a mixture of jeers and applause from Brazil fans. Dozens of children arrived at the Maracana wearing the shirts of Barcelona, the star’s previous club, and Inter Miami.

The Argentine star wasn’t able to end one of his last barriers in the sport at the Maracana, though, to score against the Brazilians in a World Cup qualifier.

After an unprecedented two consecutive defeats in the previous rounds, it was expected that Brazil would come out like a wounded beast in front of their home crowd. And this was emphasised still further by the approach taken by interim coach Fernando Diniz. With a front line of four (Raphinha, Rodrygo, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli) and just two men in midfield, there was little chance of patient build-up, foot-on-the-ball type football. Rather, there was pace and fury in their pressing.

Brazil are down in sixth place in CONMEBOL’s World Cup qualifying table and will spend a long time staring at this unwelcome sight as the campaign does not resume until next September.
Brazil’s federation is confident that, by then, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will be coaching the side. Bringing in a foreign coach is always going to prove controversial, but if it does happen then Ancelotti’s welcome will be made a little bit warmer by memories of Tuesday’s dreadful night.