Nicolas Otamendi secured a 1-0 victory for Argentina over Brazil in a heated World Cup qualifier, netting with a robust header in an away match on the Maracana Stadium that confronted a half-hour delay Tuesday resulting from clashes between police and followers.
The longstanding sporting rivalry between two of probably the most profitable groups in world soccer hit a fever pitch after Brazilian police charged Argentine followers in response to preventing within the stands in the course of the nationwide anthems.
The world champions, led by Captain Lionel Messi, went over to the terraces to attempt to calm the scenario earlier than leaving the pitch and returning to the dressing room for greater than 10 minutes.
The gamers finally returned, and the match began in a tumult of noise as native followers roared their help for the five-time world champions, who had been seeking to get their marketing campaign again on monitor after dropping successive qualifiers for the primary time.
Instead, Brazil plunged to a 3rd straight defeat and the first-ever dwelling loss in a World Cup qualifier to face sixth within the standings, eight factors behind leaders Argentina and within the final spot that ensures a berth on the 2026 finals.
“The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things once again,” Argentina captain Lionel Messi informed reporters.
“Obviously, at the beginning, it was terrible because we saw how they beat people.”
“You take into consideration the household, the people who find themselves there, who do not know what is going on on, and we’re extra involved about that than taking part in a match. At that time, the match was secondary…
“After that, winning this game like this, I think, is one of the most important wins that this group has achieved. It is very nice to win here in Brazil after how strong they have been at home throughout their history.”
After all of the pre-match drama, it was a nervy first half with 22 fouls, three bookings and several other skirmishes as rival gamers ceaselessly confronted off, and the referee flashed playing cards in an try and calm the scenario.
Brazil was arguably the higher facet and virtually scored from a nook simply earlier than halftime by way of a Gabriel Martinelli strike that defender Christian Romero cleared off the objective line.
Despite being with out key gamers like Vinicius Jr. and Neymar resulting from accidents and dropping their captain, Marquinhos, to a leg problem midway by way of the sport, Brazil stored up the strain after the break.
Missed sitter
They wasted a golden alternative to attain within the forty seventh minute when Martinelli missed an absolute sitter, putting a close-range shot straight on the goalkeeper.
Argentina held on and made probably the most of one of many few probabilities they created within the 63rd minute when defender Otamendi rose excessive to energy dwelling a Giovani Lo Celso nook.
It was Argentina’s solely shot heading in the right direction, and Brazil’s distress was compounded when substitute midfielder Joelinton was despatched off for hitting Rodrigo de Paul within the face within the 82nd minute, solely three minutes after he got here off the bench.
The Brazilian followers unloaded their frustration on the staff, screaming “Ole! Ole! Ole!” as Argentina handed the ball round in the previous few minutes, an perspective that angered caretaker supervisor Fernando Diniz.
“The fans have the right to do what they want,” Diniz, who was roundly booed on the ultimate whistle, informed a press convention.
“The fans are passionate and want to win, so they have the right to boo, but I think shouting “Ole” to Argentina is a bit much.”
Argentina went from ecstasy to shock after the sport when their World Cup-winning supervisor, Lionel Scaloni, made the gorgeous admission that he was considering strolling away from the job.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” Scaloni, who took no questions, mentioned in his opening remarks at his press convention.
“I need to stop the ball and start thinking; I have a lot of things to think about during this time.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com