A clash between fans and police cause delay in Brazil-Argentina matchin their World Cup qualifier match at the Maracana on Tuesday night. There was a nearly 30-minute delay due to confrontations between the police and fans in the stands in Rio de Janeiro. Lionel Messi expressed concern, stating that the scene had the potential to turn into a "disaster."

Despite the chaotic start, Argentina emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a second-half goal by Nicolás Otamendi. This result marked Brazil's first-ever home loss in World Cup qualifying, breaking their previous record of 51 wins, 13 draws, and no losses in 64 such matches.

The disturbances began during the playing of the national anthems when local and Argentinian fans clashed, leading Brazilian police to intervene with batons. In response, fans tore up seats and hurled them at the officers.

The escalating tension caused panic among spectators near the trouble, prompting some to enter the pitch to escape the ongoing fighting. Emergency personnel had to evacuate at least one injured fan from the stadium on a stretcher.

Prior to Lionel Messi leading the Argentina playersback to the dressing room, the team made a plea for calm to the spectators in the stands. Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, urgently approached the rails in front of the team's supporters, appealing to the police to put an end to the violence.

FIFApresident Gianni Infantino issued the following statement, condemning the violence: "There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field."

Argentina informed their Brazilian counterparts that they would only resume the match once the situation in the stadium had settled. After spending 22 minutes in the dressing room, the team returned to the pitch and engaged in a three-minute warm-up before the game finally resumed.

"I think we did that to calm things down a bit," Messi added. "There could have been a disaster. When everything calmed down we decided to ask how everyone was, to find out and then we went out."

At the commencement of the match, numerous police officers encircled the cheering Argentina fans, while additional security personnel faced them on the pitch. The police presence was particularly concentrated around the section, which had a capacity of approximately 3,000 fans.

Despite the entire 69,000 tickets for the match being sold, Brazil fans, who had initially jeered and applauded Messi before the altercation, later directed chants against him upon his return to the pitch.

The Brazilian players stayed on the pitch, engaging in warm-up activities as they awaited the return of the Argentina team.

Following Argentina's victory, Lionel Messi took to his Instagram account to celebrate the triumph of his national team. However, he also used the platform to condemn the violence that occurred in the stands during the match.

Ahead of the match, numerous Brazil fans showed their admiration for the Argentine star, with dozens of children donning Messi jerseys from his previous clubs, Barcelonaand Inter Miami.

Conclusion

In the South American World Cup qualifying standings, Argentina currently leads with 12 points from five matches, while Brazil holds the fifth position. Both teams suffered defeats in their previous games in the round-robin competition involving 10 teams.