Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier delayed after fans brawl in stands

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Fans brawled at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro before Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina.

The melee caused a 27-minute delay to the start of the game that featured the defending World Cup champions.

Police used batons to break up the crowd, as several members of the Argentinian team asked fans to stop the violence.

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Fans react after a fight between Brazilian and Argentinian fans in the stands prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

The defending champs headed into the locker room where they told Brazil officials they would not come back out until the situation was calm - they were inside for 22 minutes before warming up again and beginning the game.

Parts of seating were being thrown and hit some spectators behind one of the goals. At least one fan left the stadium bleeding from his head.

The crowd was perhaps rowdier than usual as Lionel Messi was in the building. Before the encounter, many Brazil fans warmed up to the Argentine star, with dozens of children wearing Messi jerseys from his previous club, Barcelona, and Inter Miami. However, he was mostly jeered after the ruckus.

Police break up a fight between Brazilian and Argentinian fans that broke out prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Brazil and Argentina at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

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It was a sold-out crowd with over