Thunderbolt at the Maracana! The Argentine world champions inflicted on Tuesday on Brazil the first home defeat in its history in qualifying for the World Cup (1-0), during an electric shock that began half an hour late due to incidents in the stands. The eight-time Golden Ball Lionel Messi did not shine, but it was Otamendi who gave victory to the Albiceleste thanks to an angry helmet hit from a corner (63rd).
This victory in the legendary den of Brazilian football in Rio de Janeiro allowed Argentina to remain at the top of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and to revive after its 2-0 defeat against Uruguay on Thursday, the first since the world title in Qatar. Brazil, for its part, is sinking into crisis, with a third setback in a row, after losing to Uruguay (2-0) last month, then to Colombia five days earlier. Coach Fernando Diniz’s men fell to sixth place, the last synonym of direct qualification for the World Cup.
“There was a lot at stake, we had just lost and they had just suffered several unfavorable results (…) This group continues to do historic things. It’s not our most important achievement, but it’s magnificent,” celebrated Messi, who had already triumphed at the Maracana against the Seleçao with the same score of 1-0, during the Copa America final in 2021.
The “superclasico” almost did not take place, the Argentinian players having left the pitch momentarily to return to the locker rooms after the clashes between supporters of the two countries, repressed by a muscular intervention by the police. The association of Brazilian supporters groups (Anatorg) had nevertheless warned the day before of the risks of the absence of a sector reserved for Argentine supporters at the Maracana. Most of them were concentrated behind one of the goals, in the middle of the Brazilian public.
The kick-off was finally given when calm returned to the stands, but the tension was palpable on the pitch. The start of the match was particularly choppy, with no less than ten Brazilian fouls and three Argentinian fouls during the first 20 minutes of play. Before conceding Otamendi’s goal from a corner from former Parisian Lo Celso, the Seleçao was shown to be more dangerous, facing world champions content to sit back. Visibly in poor form, Messi had very little influence on the match and was replaced fifteen minutes from the end. “They put us under pressure, which prevented us from having long phases of possession. This kind of match is decided on details,” summarized the Argentine number 10.
Brazil created two chances shortly before the break, on a free kick from Raphinha (38th) and a rebound from Martinelli saved on his line by defender Romero (43rd). Argentinian goalkeeper Martinez was decisive after returning from the locker room, against Raphinha (53rd) and Martinelli (57th). The Seleçao finished the match at 10 men, Joelinton having received a red card just a few minutes after coming on (83rd). In the aisles of the Maracana, the Brazilian supporters, disappointed, shouted “Olé” with each touch of the Argentinian ball. The Albiceleste remains two points ahead of Uruguay, who lost against Bolivia (3-0), with a double from Liverpool center forward Darwin Nunez.