Argentina vs. Brazil: Lionel Messi Reinjures Right Leg; Brazil Suffers First-Ever Home Loss in World Cup Qualifier

In a dramatic Argentina vs. Brazil showdown at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium on Tuesday night, soccer icon Lionel Messi, the World Cup champion and Inter Miami star, faced a challenging final match of 2023.

Despite being held scoreless and appearing to reinjure his right leg during the Argentina vs. Brazil game, the Argentine side emerged victorious, per USA Today.

Nicolás Otamendi secured Argentina's triumph with a decisive header in the 64th minute, leading his team to a 1-0 victory over Brazil in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

The Maracanã Stadium holds significant historical weight for Messi and Argentina, as it was the venue where they suffered defeat in the 2014 World Cup against Germany but later clinched victory in the 2021 Copa America.

Messi's resilience was evident as he seemed to sustain a right leg injury in the first half of the match. During the 28th minute, a trainer evaluated his right quadricep on the sideline, yet Messi continued to play.

It remains uncertain whether this injury prompted his early departure from the game. Notably, Messi had previously grappled with a similar right leg injury, forcing him to miss six Inter Miami matches and a qualifier in September.

Following the match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged Messi's exceptional commitment, stating, "Leo is the only player in the world who can be on the field in the conditions he played today. He did it to the best of his ability and gave the team a hand."

"Felt injured at the beginning of the match, but I coped with it. It's not (severe), and I hope to come back stronger," Lionel Messi said.

Brazil Suffers Third Straight Loss from Argentina

In a historic turn, Argentina handed Brazil its first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifying match.

"We needed this victory after the defeat against Uruguay. We knew it was going to be a tough game, similar to the one in the Copa América final. These games are defined by details," said Lionel Messi after the Argentina vs. Brazil match.

The first half witnessed pre-match drama translating into on-field tumult, with 22 fouls, three bookings, and numerous skirmishes, Reuters reports.

Despite Brazil's arguably superior performance, Argentina maintained composure.

Key players like Vinicius Jr and Neymar were sidelined due to injuries, and captain Marquinhos exited the game due to a leg issue.

A critical moment came in the 47th minute as Martinelli missed a scoring opportunity, while Argentina capitalized in the 63rd minute, with Otamendi converting a corner into a goal.

The tension increased for Brazil as substitute Joelinton received a red card in the 82nd minute for striking Rodrigo de Paul, further compounding Brazil's woes and securing Argentina's historic victory.

Argentina vs. Brazil: Clash Delays Game

Chaos unfolded at Maracana Stadium during the Argentina vs. Brazil Conmebol World Cup qualifier, leading to a nearly 30-minute delay.

The disturbance began with clashes between police and fans in the stands in Rio de Janeiro, according to ESPN.

The altercation erupted during the national anthems, with local and Argentinian fans engaging in physical confrontations.

Brazilian police charged the visiting contingent with batons, prompting fans to retaliate by tearing up seats and hurling them at the officers.

The intensity escalated, leading fans near the turmoil to rush onto the pitch to escape the clashes. Emergency personnel evacuated at least one injured fan from the stadium on a stretcher.

Argentina's players, led by Lionel Messi, intervened to restore calm.

Messi and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez appealed for peace among the fans and directly requested the police to halt the violence.

In a display of unity, the Argentina team, guided by Messi, retreated to the dressing room. Players called for calm from the stands, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.

After a 22-minute hiatus, the Argentine team returned to the pitch, and following a brief warm-up, the game eventually resumed.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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