Brazil 0x1 Argentina

The match between Brazil and Argentina at Maracanã was marked by a widespread brawl in the stands. In addition to the Canarinha’s first defeat playing at home in the qualifiers.

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Fight in the Stands

Initially, Brazilian and Argentine fans began the “battle” during the national anthem’s performance in the south section, where Argentine fans were concentrated, behind one of the stadium’s goals. There was no separation between the two fan groups.

Later, the police intervened, engaging in a significant clash with the Argentine supporters. Seats were torn out and thrown by some fans, while the police used batons forcefully. Upon realizing the chaos, the Argentine players moved towards the disturbance to try to quell the conflict, but images showed numerous fans bleeding and others desperately fleeing onto the playing field or jumping over the stadium’s partition walls.

At 9:37 PM, the Argentine players, led by Messi, decided to go to the locker room. The star said, “This way, we won’t play.” The players requested a 15-minute break for the situation to calm down in the stands and returned to the field precisely at 9:52 PM, thus the Classic started with a 30-minute delay.

Photo: Lance

After all the turmoil, eight people were arrested, and two needed medical attention at Maracanã’s medical post.

Photo: Alexandre Cassiano

Brazil 0x1 Argentina

The game was very physical and contested, with strong tackles from both sides, many fouls, and cards shown to Brazil, which, despite the defeat, dominated the actions, giving little space to Argentina.

At the 5th minute, Acuña received on the left, cut past Raphinha, and attempted a shot, which exploded off Emerson Royal. In the rebound, Gabriel Jesus initiated a counter-attack but hit Rodrigo De Paul in the face with his arm. The referee gave a yellow card to the Brazilian forward.

At the 14th minute, Raphinha received another yellow card. Unintentionally, he hit the opponent’s face again, this time De Paul.

At the 37th minute, Raphinha took a dangerous free-kick. The ball deflected off the wall and narrowly missed the crossbar.

At the 43rd minute, Brazil had its best opportunity. Raphinha took a corner, Dibu Martínez cleared it, Martinelli controlled and shot from outside the box. The ball went past the goalkeeper, but Romero cleared it off the line.

In the second half, at the 8th minute, Bruno Guimarães made a beautiful pass to Raphinha on the right side of the box. The forward went past Acuña and shot with his left foot, but Dibu Martínez made the save.

At the 12th minute, Gabriel Jesus made a great individual play, got past Romero and Otamendi, clashed with Acuña, and the ball fell to Martinelli. The number 7 was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but shot poorly, and Martínez made the save.

Argentina opened the scoring at the 17th minute with a beautiful goal from Otamendi. Lo Celso took a corner, André and Gabriel Magalhães failed in the marking, and Otamendi rose high to head into the top corner, leaving Alisson with no chance.

Photo: ALEXANDRE BRUM/ENQUADRAR/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO

At the 36th minute, Joelinton was unjustly sent off. The midfielder was jostling with De Paul and, to free himself, pushed the Argentine’s chest. De Paul fell to the ground, claiming that Joelinton had hit his face. The weak referee expelled Joelinton and did not review his decision on VAR.

With one player less, Brazil continued to attack Argentina, but little was achieved. Only one chance, at the 49th minute, when Douglas Luiz shot from outside the box, Martínez spilled the ball but quickly recovered.

Negative Achievements of the Brazilian National Team

The current national team accumulates failures and negative achievements. With the loss to Argentina, it was the first time Brazil lost at home in the history of the qualifiers, and it also suffered its third consecutive defeat in the competition, something that had never happened.

It is the worst campaign in the qualifiers, with only 7 points in 6 games. In the previous round, it lost to Colombia for the first time in the competition’s history. It also ended a 22-year unbeaten streak against Uruguay, losing by a 2-goal difference, something that hadn’t happened in 40 years.

For a comparison, in the first 9 games under Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz, Brazil has 3 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, while Tite had a 100% record, conceding only 2 goals, 12 fewer than now.

Written by Henry Miller.