Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã stadium in a match with many frictions, little collective play and few shots on goal. The only scream of the night came from Otamendi, who after a corner kick he won with authority in the air and scored a corner header that Alisson couldn’t get out despite his stretch.
The victory allowed the team led by Lionel Scaloni to reach 15 points to return to the top of the South American Qualifiers towards the 2026 World Cup. On the contrary, the team led by Fernando Diniz does not raise its head: it accumulates three defeats in the thread, they haven’t won in four games and dropped to sixth place in the table with 7 points.
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Delay in the start due to violence in the stands
The start of the match was delayed for half an hour due to incidents in the stands, as agents from the Specialized Stadium Police Battalion (BEPE) beat Argentine supporters at the moment the visitor’s anthem was playing. The albicelestes players and Marquinhos went to try to calm the situation, but as that did not happen, Lionel Messi as captain informed the referee that in protest they were leaving the field of play.
The footballers remained in the locker rooms, while negotiations continued between Conmebol authorities, security and the leaders to analyze whether the ball was going to roll. After obtaining guarantees, the Albiceleste finally returned to the playing field and the Chilean referee Piero Maza started the match.
The two clearest of the first half were for Brazil
With that prelude, the game started hot and a sign of that, after 15 minutes Brazil was already with Gabriel Jesus and Raphinha reprimanded, both for slapping De Paul in the face. The first half continued with more friction, kicks and little clarity in the collective game, with small individual flashes from Martinelli and Lo Celso.
Raphinha added some excitement with a free kick that went a few centimeters over the crossbar after a deflection in the barrier. At 43′ came the clearest of the first half: a corner kick, a bad clearance by Dibu Martínez that was left to Martinelli and a shot taken by Cuti Romero when the ball was destined for a goal.
Otamendi’s head opened a close duel
The second half began with problems for both captains: Marquinhos was replaced due to an illness before Nino entered and Messi continued on the field, although with discomfort in the adductor of his right leg. Brazil came out better and had what until then was the clearest of the night: a great individual start by Gabriel Jesus resulted in Martinelli being left alone with the goal in front, but his shot went just wide and was blocked by Dibu Martínez .
But goals are not deserved, but rather scored. And the one who converted it was Argentina at 63′: a corner kick taken by Lo Celso and Otamendi won in the air to corner a header. First risky shot on goal and opening score for the World Champion team.
⚽ @Argentina 🇦🇷 1 (Nicolás Otamendi) 🆚 #Brasil 🇧🇷 0
👉 ¡Final del partido!
¡#VamosArgentina! 🤜🤛 pic.twitter.com/iEWuYUJu5l
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) November 22, 2023
In an adverse context, the Maracanã was excited when Diniz called Endrick, who came on for Raphinha, in the second game with the Seleção for the 17-year-old gem that Real Madrid had already secured. At that same moment Joelinton also entered, who was only on the court for ten minutes, since he was sent off for a hit on De Paul that existed, but that the Argentine took it upon himself to exaggerate.
With one less, Brazil only had the energy to seek the tie with crossed crosses, while Argentina retreated to secure the victory. That victory finally came and for the same result as in the previous “Maracanazo” of the Albiceleste: when two years ago they won the Copa América with Di María’s goal.
Lineups
Brazil : Alisson – Emerson Royal, Marquinhos (Nino), Gabriel Magalhaes (Joelinton), Carlos Augusto – Bruno Guimaraes (Douglas Luiz), André – Raphinha (Endrick), Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli (Raphael Veiga) – Gabriel Jesus. DT: Fernando Diniz.
Argentina : Emiliano Martínez – Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Acuña – Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Giovani Lo Celso – Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez (Lautaro Martínez). DT: Lionel Scaloni.
