Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after winning a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between … [+] Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Lionel Messi and Argentina have beaten Brazil, in Brazil, again.
It’s the first time in history that Brazil have lost a World Cup qualifying match at home, and it’s the fifth win in six qualifying games for Argentina. The World Cup holders sit top of the table in South America with 15 points whilst Brazil currently languish in sixth place, closer to the bottom team than Messi and company.
A fantastic header from Nicolás Otamendi in the second half was enough to separate the sides in what was an incredibly tight game. Both teams had eight attempts on goal and they shared ball possession evenly.
A ridiculous 42 fouls were committed during the 90 minutes. This tie isn’t usually a friendly one, and on the pitch drama is to be expected. However last night’s fixture was sadly overshadowed by horrible scenes off the pitch.
Social media was set ablaze as Lionel Messi marched his Argentina side back down the tunnel before Brazil V Argentina could even begin. Videos emerged of Brazilian state police using batons to violently strike a section of visiting Argentina fans.
Argentina supporters clash with police officers during FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between … [+] Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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How problems came to arise in the stands is one question, but the police’s brutal use of force seemed to add to the mayhem instead of curb it. Videos don’t show the authorities in a great light. It seems that fans were struck indiscriminately and with excessive force with one Argentina supporter being taken away in a stretcher with blood pouring from his head.
Lionel Messi and his Argentina team rushed over towards the violence in a bid to calm things down but goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez had to be physically restrained from pulling policemen away from the Argentina fans. Messi’s decision to take his team back inside to let things cool down was probably a good one.
When the football did get underway it wasn’t the classic we were hoping for, but Argentina won’t mind. They snatched their first win in Rio de Janeiro since their last Copa América title and bounced back brilliantly from a frustrating home defeat to neighbours Uruguay.
The violence that was occurring in the stands is not to be tolerated and happens all too often in South America. Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister appealed for change in an Instagram post after the game, where he mentioned that everyone needs to ensure a better image of South America is shared with the world.
On a rollercoaster night in Rio other news included a red card for Brazil that seemed quite harsh. Newcastle United player Joelinton appeared to turn and push Argentine Rodrigo De Paul, but the Argentine went down holding his face and the red card came out at once.
Referee Piero Maza shows a red card to Joelinton of Brazil during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier … [+] match between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni capped off a crazy night by casting doubts over his own future as head coach. Scaloni stated in his press conference that he “needs to think a lot.” There are rumours of a rift between Scaloni’s staff and the Argentina Football Association. “This isn’t a goodbye but it’s complicated to continue,” he said.
Meanwhile Uruguay and Colombia both won again last night. Uruguay are absolutely flying under new boss Marcelo Bielsa and sit second in the table having already defeated Argentina and Brazil. Bolivia were the visitors to Montevideo but they were outplayed and lost 3-0.
Colombia traveled to Paraguay and picked up a 1-0 victory to keep their unbeaten run alive and confirm their spot in third place in the table. With over nine months until the next qualifying fixtures take place Colombia have certainly put themselves in a fantastic position to qualify for 2026 after missing out on the last tournament in Qatar.
Players of Colombia pose for a photo before a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Paraguay … [+] and Colombia at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 21, 2023 in Asuncion, Paraguay.
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Peru and Chile are two teams that are definitely not in a fantastic position. Chile lost 1-0 away to Ecuador to make it just one win from six so far; thei sit in eighth place. Peru may have picked up a point in a 1-1 home draw with Venezuela but they will need a lot more than that to turn their campaign around.
Now a third of the way through this qualifying league Peru sit bottom of the leaderboard with just two points. Last night they scored their first goal of the entire campaign and with their next four fixtures coming against the top six the ‘Bicolor’ are heading towards the wooden spoon.
That might be the end of FIFA 2026 World Cup action for a while but all of the nations discussed above will return to the scene in March for some key friendlies ahead of the Copa America in the United States next summer.
Nicolás Otamendi (R) celebrates with his teammate Enzo Fernández after scoring the team’s first goal … [+] during FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on November 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Publish date : 2023-11-22 03:00:00
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