In a World Cup qualifying match postponed due to crowd unrest, Messi's Argentina defeats Brazil

After a thrilling 1-0 win against archrival Brazil on Tuesday, Lionel Messi's Argentina team celebrated like World Cup winners again.

Brazil suffered its first home loss in World Cup qualifying after a crowd brawl delayed the game.

Many fans attended Messi's likely final encounter in Brazil, a superclasico versus the hosts, at the Maracana. In the end, Nicolás Otamendi scored the only goal.

Brazil lost its third straight round-robin game, hurting new coach Fernando Diniz.

It was the first home game without a goal for the five-time World Cup winners since 2009.

Messi departed the pitch in the 78th minute to jeers and clapping from Brazil fans. Barça and Inter Miami shirts were worn by dozens of children at the Maracana.

A violent pre-match incident that began after the national anthems stopped the action for 27 minutes. Messi led his squad into the changing rooms for 22 minutes. A supporter fled the stadium bleeding from the head. The altercation prompted eight Rio police arrests.

The referee called several fouls against Brazil in the first 20 minutes due to crowd violence. The tension subsided, allowing Argentina to avoid conflict.

Argentina leads the 10-team continental qualifying competition with 15 points from six matches, followed by Uruguay with 13 and Colombia with 12.Venezuela follows with nine points. Ecuador has eight points after starting qualification with -3 owing to a FIFA penalty.

Brazil will finish sixth with seven points, two ahead of Paraguay and Chile.

The top six South American teams will qualify directly for the 48-team 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada. The seventh-place club can compete in the intercontinental playoff.