The highly anticipated 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Matchday 6 fixture between defending 2022 FIFA World Cup champions Argentina and five-time winners Brazil at Maracanã a couple of days ago was not dominated by the score line of Argentina 1-0 Brazil, but the violence between both sets of fans and police, heated exchanges between Argentine captain Lionel Messi and Brazilian forward Rodrygo as well as shocking comments from Lionel Scaloni on his future as the Argentina boss.
Let us now dive deep into what have happened in the Argentina 1-0 Brazil match in the following paragraphs.
Violence-Dominated Match in Argentina 1-0 Brazil
The Argentina-Brazil clash was delayed due to a crowd violence erupted between both sets of fans during and after the national anthem, forcing the local authorities to take charge of the situations. As a result of the complete mayhem, many fans were seen injured and bleeding, with the game being postponed for a good half an hour.
The world champions would go on to win the chaotic match 1-0, courtesy of Nicolás Otamendi’s effort, and the 35-year-old defender’s sixth international goal handled Brazil’s first ever loss in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier at their home of Maracanã, putting an end to an incredible 64-game unbeaten streak at the same venue (51 wins and 13 draws). You may find out the full match details of Argentina 1-0 Brazil here.
Argentina’s players walked off the pitch and the start of Brazil vs. Argentina has been delayed after fights broke out in the stands pic.twitter.com/xMjz1zljgs
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 22, 2023
The Messi-Rodrygo Exchanges
It is worth to mention that when Messi led his team back onto the pitch after the delay caused by crowd violence, Brazil and Real Madrid forward Rodrygo made his feelings known towards the Argentina national team’s actions to temporarily leave the field. The 22-year-old forward shared a deep but furious conversation with Atlético Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, before he called the Argentines “Cowards” over their decision during the chaos of Argentina 1-0 Brazil.
The Real Madrid player’s comments ruffled La Pulga‘s feathers, and the former Barcelona man immediately raged at Rodrygo with a brutal 13-word reply that reads “We are the world champions, why are we cowards? Watch your mouth”. Furthermore, after the Argentina 1-0 Brazil match, several Argentina players also took to the pitch or the internet to throw shades at the home side, such as AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala’s social media post which Christ The Redeemer has the Argentine jersey on.
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What Did Scaloni Say About His Future as the La Albiceleste Manager?
The World Cup-winning manager said this during the post-match conference of La Albiceleste beating Seleção Canarinha: “Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well. Now it’s time to stop the ball and start thinking. I have a lot of things to think about during this time. These players have given us, all the coaching staff, a lot of things and I need to think about what I’m going to do.
“It’s not goodbye, but I need to think, because the bar is very high. It’s difficult to go on and keep winning. This national team needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well. I will communicate this to the president and to the boys.”
The 45-year-old also spoke about the ugly scenes happened during the Argentina 1-0 Brazil match, saying “Some of them had close relatives there, they didn’t know if they were there or not. Playing a match in those conditions is not easy, even so, the match went as we planned, with them looking for a lot of play infield”. With their previous game ending with Argentina 1-0 Brazil, the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions will end their 2023 campaign as the leader of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers CONMEBOL with 15 points out of a possible 18.
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Messi Will Only Be Back in 2024
Following Argentina’s final game in the calendar year of 2023 and Inter Miami CF’s elimination from playoff contention in the 2023 Major League Soccer Season, Messi will be going on a long holiday before he is back onto the pitch again. The 36-year-old forward is targeting a return for his club Inter Miami CF in January 2024, where the preseason of the new MLS Season begins.
