Argentina overcame Brazil 1-0 in a tense 2026 World Cup qualifying encounter overshadowed by pre-match crowd unrest that delayed kick-off.
Argentina won thanks to a 63rd-minute header from veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, as the world champions bounced back from last week’s setback to Uruguay to defeat their bitter South American rivals.
Argentina now leads the South American qualification standings with 15 points from six games, thanks to the victory at Rio’s legendary Maracana Stadium. Meanwhile, Brazil’s third defeat in qualification has the five-time world champions in sixth place with seven points from six games.
Several Argentina players approached the ruckus in an apparent attempt to settle things down, with goalkeeper Emi Martinez attempting to jump into the seating area at one point to face a Brazilian police officer carrying a baton.