Brazil 0-1 Argentina: Nicolas Otamendi gives the world champions narrow victory over their arch-rivals after kick-off is delayed by 29 MINUTES by crowd trouble

• Fighting broke out in the crowd which delayed kick-off by some 29 minutes 
• Re-live all the action from a tense Maracana as Brazil faced Argentina in Rio 
• Everton players will be fed up with the owners – listen to It’s All Kicking Off 

Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with a thumping header from a Giovanni Lo Celso corner to take the lead after a disrupted start due to trouble in the stands. 

This rivalry between two of the oldest foes in football began in deeply dramatic circumstances, with play held up for around 29 minutes after trouble broke out in the crowd. 

Fans could be seen throwing seats at one another while Brazilian police waded in with batons to help try and calm things down, before Argentina players left the field and returned to their dressing room. 

The game eventually got underway after the lengthy delay, but the opening salvo was disrupted by a succession of free-kicks and fouls, with Gabriel Jesus and Raphinha picking up bookings within the first 15 minutes. 

Neither side was really able to flex their muscles throughout the first half with constant fouls creating a stop-start affair.

Nicolas Otamendi secured victory for the visitors on a dramatic night in Rio de Janeiro

The opening 45 minutes was bitterly contested with a number of fouls conceded by both sides

Fighting broke out in the crowd ahead of kick-off delaying the game’s start by 29 minutes

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The hosts isolated Argentinian talisman Lionel Messi to good effect, and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was even seen twice receiving attention to his right thigh. 

Neither side was really able to carve out any meaningful opportunities in the opening period, with Brazil committing 16 fouls early on to break down any fluidity to the Albiceleste’s game. 

The second half however saw much better play from both sides, with Brazil in particular looking a threat coming forward through Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. 

The latter had a good opportunity saved by Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez after some strong dribbling from Jesus, but Martinelli’s effort was straight at the goalkeeper from inside the box. 

Otamendi ultimately drew first blood in the fierce and intense encounter from a Giovanni Lo Celso corner,  the former Man City defender left more or less unmarked in the centre of the box to thump home his header. 

From then on the visitors seemed content to baton down the hatches and withstand the onslaught, but it was a fairly tame Brazil side that failed to truly trouble Martinez’s goal. 

Things quickly went from bad to worse for Fernando Diniz’s side, when  Joelinton – who had only recently come on for Gabriel Magalhaes – was sent off for a challenge on Rodrigo De Paul.

The world champions handed their fiercest rivals a third consecutive loss as Brazil came into the match having conceded back-to-back defeats in World Cup qualifiers for the first time in their history.

It was also Brazil’s first ever home loss in a World Cup qualifier. Argentina top the standings on 15 points with Brazil eight points behind in sixth place, the last spot that guarantees a berth at the 2026 finals.

MATCH FACTS

Brazil (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Emerson, Marquinhos (Nino 45′), Gabriel (Joelinton 72′), Agosto; Andre, Guimaraes (Luiz 78′); Raphinha (Endrick 72′), Rodrygo, Martinelli (Veiga 78′); Jesus

Subs: Lodi,  Perri, Bremer, Pepe, Paulinho, Joao Pedro, Bento

Booked: Jesus, Raphinha, Augusto

Sent off: Joelinton 83′ 

Argentina (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Acuna (Tagliafico 65′); De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez (Gonzalez 70′); Lo Celso (Paredes 70′), Messi (Di Maria 78′), Alvarez (Martinez 78′)

Subs: Armani, Musso, Montiel, Pezzella, Palacios, Rodriguez, Ocampos

Goal: Otamendi 63′ 

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