Brazil return to Maracanã after controversial clash with Argentina | OneFootball

Brazil and Chile face off on Thursday night, starting at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). The game marks the return of the Yellow Team to the largest temple of Brazilian football, the stage of the controversial duel with Argentina, in November 2023.

On that occasion, the Brazilian team suffered its first defeat as a home team in the history of the South American Qualifiers. In front of more than 70,000 people, the team then led by Fernando Diniz was defeated 1-0, with a header goal from defender Nicolás Otamendi, still in the second half.

The atmosphere, however, had already soured even before the ball started rolling. During the execution of the national anthems, Brazilian and Argentine fans clashed in one of the stadium sectors. The provocations quickly turned into physical assaults, with chairs and other objects being thrown.

The confusion required the intervention of security and then the Military Police, who formed a barrier to separate the groups.

In the face of violence, Argentine players approached the stands in an attempt to calm the situation, and then the entire team left the pitch and went to the locker room. Some of the Brazilian athletes also went to the scene of the fight to try to contain the tempers.

Eight people ended up being detained and some needed medical attention, including two who were assisted at the stadium's health post.

After about 30 minutes of stoppage, the Argentines returned to the field under intense boos, especially directed at Lionel Messi. The duel then started late, but ended with a victory for the visiting team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.