WATCH: Argentina and Brazil fans involved in brutal fight before CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Brazil vs Argentina faced off in the Conmebol qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. The start of the Brazil vs Argentina FIFA World Cup qualifying match was delayed by 30 minutes owing to fights between rival fans in the stadium. 

Police in Brazil had no choice but to interfere. They used batons to clear a crowd of Argentine fans, creating a tense situation. Argentina's players attempted to calm down the atmosphere. Emi Martinez even attempted to stop the Brazilian police officer carrying a baton. At one end of the stadium, local police were spotted using batons to repress Argentina fans. This certainly did not sit well with Argentina's Lionel Messi-led team and he with the team left the pitch. 

Both teams could not break the deadlock in the first half of the game. There were fewer chances created as well. Previously when these two heavyweights met La Albiceleste won the COPA America with Angel Di Maria scoring the only goal, at the very same stadium. 

Here's the video

These are crazy scenes 😳

Fights are getting out of control before the start of this Argentina vs Brazil game pic.twitter.com/1OrIhg5zTZ

— Reasons (@LFCReasons) November 22, 2023

Argentina beat Brazil

Nicolas Otamendi was the person who broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute of the game as the defender scored the match’s only goal heading on the right of the Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The 2022 FIFA World Champions have just lost a single game in the qualifiers against Uruguay and they sit at the top of the table with 5 wins in 6 games. 

This is Brazil's third consecutive defeat in World Cup qualifications and first in the country's football history. It is also their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier. Joelinton was sent off for an off-the-ball fight with De Paul in the 82nd minute. Nothing is going well for the five-time world champs right now as they sit in the sixth position and players like Vinicius Jr and Neymar Jr are out injured. 

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada and will include 48 teams for the first time in the competition.