Chaos broke out in the Maracana? Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday night as fans brawled before the highly anticipated World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina. The game was considered to be Lionel Messi's last in Rio de Janeiro, adding to the already intense atmosphere surrounding the match. The scuffle resulted in a 27-minute delay, with police resorting to using batons to break up the violence. Several members of the Argentinian team appealed to the fans to stop the fighting, but their pleas were initially ignored.

Parts of the seating were thrown, with some hitting spectators behind one of the goals. At least one fan was seen bleeding from his head as a result. With the situation spiraling out of control, the defending World Cup champions made the decision to retreat into the locker room until the violence subsided. They remained inside for 22 minutes before emerging and resuming their warm-up routine before the game finally commenced.

The sold-out crowd of over 69,000 fans had been eagerly anticipating the clash between the two South American powerhouses. Prior to the altercation, many Brazil fans had shown their support for Lionel Messi, with numerous children donning his jerseys from his former club, Barcelona, and his current team, Inter Miami. However, after the melee, Messi faced jeers from the crowd.

The match eventually got underway, but there was a significant increase in police and security presence around the section of Argentinian fans. The tension remained palpable throughout the game, with additional security measures in place to prevent further altercations.

Despite the chaotic start, Lionel Messi led his Argentinian lineup to a 1-0 victory over Brazil. The team celebrated with their fans long after the final whistle, making the win all the more meaningful after the tumultuous events preceding the match.

The rivalry between Brazil and Argentina has a storied history, originating at the club level and intensifying after Argentina's first World Cup victory in 1978. The two teams have engaged in fierce matches during World Cup qualifiers and Copa America, further fueling the animosity. The debate over the greatest footballer of all time, with Brazilians often championing Pele and Argentinians divided between Messi and Diego Maradona, has only added to the rivalry.

It is worth noting that both Brazil and Argentina were expected to face off in the World Cup semifinals in Qatar the previous year. However, Brazil's early exit at the hands of Croatia dashed the hopes of a highly anticipated clash. Argentina went on to win the tournament, securing Messi's first World Cup title.

Looking ahead, the 2026 World Cup is set to take place in North America, with the final likely to be held at either Dallas' AT&T Stadium or MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The anticipation for future matches between Brazil and Argentina remains high, as fans hope for a clash of these football titans on the world stage once again.