Lionel Mess has led his team off the field following a brawl between Brazil and Argentina fans which delayed their South American World Cup qualifier by 27 minutes at the Maracana Stadium. Argentina players asked fans in the stands for calm before heading to the locker rooms. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez raced to one of the rails in front of the Argentina fans to ask police to stop the violence. Selvageria no Maracanã #brasil #argentina pic.twitter.com/Azz8RKE47p— Igor Rodrigues (@_igorrodrigues) November 22, 2023 Argentina told Brazil officials they would only return to the pitch after the situation was calm. They returned after 22 minutes in the locker rooms, and warmed up for several minutes before the game was finally started. As the match began, dozens of policemen surrounded Argentina fans as they cheered, and even more security faced them on the pitch. Police gathered around the section that can hold about 3,000 fans. 🚨 Lionel Messi and the Argentina team walking towards the Argentina fans that are getting hit by security.pic.twitter.com/l6V7BAneyM— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 22, 2023 All 69,000 tickets for the match were sold. Brazil fans, who jeered and applauded Messi before the brawl began, chanted against him when he returned to the pitch. Brazil players remained on the pitch and warmed up while waiting for the Argentina team to return. Argentina leads South American World Cup qualifying with 12 points from five games. Brazil is in fifth position. Both teams lost their previous games in the 10-team round-robin competition.
