It started as a drama for Brazilian police brutally beat Argentina fansfor excessive restraint that delayed the start of the game for half an hour and pushed Messi to say “Let’s go” and put all his teammates in the locker room, as a clear sign of the threat not to play if the incidents don’t stop… It ended up being another big light blue and white party, again against in Brazil and again in the legendary Maracana. The world champion continues to add memorable chapters.
They celebrate the most Lionel Messi and his companions. However, they do not want to leave the field. They jumped, sang and danced to the rhythm of more than two thousand fans. They shouted wildly: “Give him a champion, give him a champion…”. They were delirious: “Brazil, tell me how it feels…”. They shouted: “One minute of silence…”. The collusion between footballers and fans is complete. Logically. Everything happened. Violence in the stands, made in the field. It had to be celebrated like this.
Then comes the world bombshell, which shocked the entire football world: Lionel Scaloni, in a press conference, will be asked about his continuation…
The case of the coach should be placed in a separate chapter. The team, the players and the rest of the magical night at the stadium do not deserve to lose fame. Maracana. Argentina He could not close his 2023. The world champion did not relax. The year after the long-dreamed-of conquest ended in handing Brazil the first defeat in its history at home in the Qualifiers. And he finished as the absolute leader on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
This Maracanazo in Argentina It will be remembered as character, personality, beauty. No shine. In his genius, along with Messi, was injured for a large part of the game. In one of its defensive columns, with Nicolas Otamendias a scorer with a surprising header in the team’s only clear scoring situation, after a corner from Giovani Lo Celso.
Only from Otamendi’s unforgettable jump, from only the 63rd minute onwards, Argentina He was able to control the progress and manage the times. A few moments ago, Draw Martínez He saved Argentina twice at the start of that second half. First, before an auction of Raphinha forced and from a closed angle. And then, in a one-on-one against Gabriel Martinelli, after an individual play by Gabriel Jesús. And at the end of the first period, Cristian Romero had already avoided a goal on the line after a shot from Martinelli himself.
It’s not a dance Brazil. However, between nerves, tension and many violations, Fernando Diniz’s team showed a slight superiority. The thing is that he made Argentina uncomfortable with pressure similar to that applied by the Uruguayans on Thursday against the world champions in Bombonera. Furthermore, he pressured the albiceleste defense with his own start from the back.
In that context, Argentina He could not find clarity or dynamics in the midfield. Messi, with pain in his right adductor, had no influence. With Julián Alvarez separated, Alisson’s goal went too far for the albiceleste.
If Brazil enjoyed possession more and didn’t go deep, it was because of the 4-4-2 formation by Lionel Scaloni to protect the gangs: On the right, Nahuel Molina is supported by Gio Lo Celso; and on the left, Marcos Acuña has the support of Alexis Mac Allister. So it was difficult for them to unbalance Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli. And Rodrygo and Gabriel Jesús did not weigh in.
Without Vinicius and without Neymar injuredBrazil still imposed conditions. Until Otamendi appeared in that warrior’s jump and the world champion celebrated again at the Maracaná, this time traveling from drama to a magical celebration. Don’t let Scaloni’s doubts steal the historic moment from the world champion.
Data sheet:
0. Brazil: Alisson, Emerson Royal, Marquinhos (d.46, Nino), Gabriel Magalhães (d.71, Joelinton), Carlos Augusto; André, Bruno Guimarães (d.77, Douglas Luiz); Rodrygo, Raphinha (m.71, Endrick), Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli (m.77 Raphael Veiga).
Selector: Fernando Diniz.
1. Argentina: Draw Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Acuña (m.65, Tagliafico); Enzo Fernández (m.69, Leandro Paredes), Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso (m.69, Nicolás González); Lionel Messi (m.76 Di María) and Julián Álvarez (m.76, Lautaro Martínez).
Selector: Lionel Scaloni.
The objectives: 0-1, m.62: Otamendi.
Referee: Chilean Piero Maza sent off Joelinton for an attack on De Paul and cautioned Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha and Carlos Augusto with yellow cards.
Incidents: match for the sixth day of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup played at the Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro before 68,138 spectators. The match started 27 minutes late due to an incident in the stands and due to the decision of Argentina’s players to wait in the locker room to control the situation.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
