Brazil 0-1 Argentina Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Otamendi’s goal leads Argentina to win; Joelinton sees red card

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FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Argentina beats Brazil 1-0 to go top of table after crowd violence delays start

Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi scored to lead his team to a 1-0 win over Brazil on Wednesday in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier group match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

This is it, the full-time whistle goes off as Argentina confirms its 1-0 win over Brazil to overcome an upsetting 0-2 loss over Uruguay in the last game. The celebration is on as the travelling fans reciprocate with more passion to see their team beat its arch-rivals at their den!

Douglas Luiz gets a clear path for a shot and he goes for it but rock-solid Martinez is a tough cookie to beat today.

Argentina is playing risky football here as it still looking to attack with just two minutes on the clock.

Endrick takes a long-range effort from the right flank but an easy collection by Martinez keeps the 1-0 scoreline safe for Argentina.

Six minutes have been added after the end of regulation time.

A desperate, goal-needy Brazil is looking for its last few chances for a late equaliser, but the game has seen a massive dip in intensity as we move closer to the full-time.

FREE KICK: Brazil wins the set-piece in Argentina’s half and it is Raphael Veiga, who will take the kick. A looping ball into the wall from right but clearance came from Argentina.

Joelinton is protesting but he has to go back as the game restarts.

RED CARD: Joelinton flings out his hands on Rodrigo De Paul after the latter followed him for the ball and the referee penalises it harshly by showing it straight red to the new substitute.

A final set of changes for Brazil - Raphael Veiga in for Martinelli and Douglas Luiz in for Bruno Guimaraes.

Another change for Argentina. Lautaro Martinez subs out Alvarez.

Change of guards as Lionel Messi ends his shift for the night and Angel Di Maria comes in to replace him.

Angel Di Maria is ready at the sidelines as we head into a water break.

Fernando Diniz with two more changes - Striker Endrick comes in for Rapihna and Joelinton replaces Gabriel.

Nicholas Gonzalez comes in for Lo Celso while Enzo Fernandez makes way for Leandro Paredes.

This has been a slow passage of play as both coaches are ready with a few more changes in their lineups.

Tagliafigo comes in for Acuna as Scaloni makes a first change in the XI.

Brazil instantly goes for an attack but the wall Martinez saves Jesus strike.

GOALLLLLLLL! Nicolas Otamendi scores to put Argentina ahead! Lo Celso takes the corner kick and finds unmarked Otamendi with a curling ball and the centre-back did enough to put the ball past Alisson and put his name in the scoresheet.

Acuna takes a shot from left but Gabriel makes a save but he concedes a corner in that process.

Julian Alvarez shows his deft skills with the ball to beat the whole line of defenders and create necessary chances for Argentina.

CHANCE! Gabriel Jesus runs down the central channel to beat the last line of the Argentinian defence and passes it to a teammate who takes a shot but a lovely dive by goalkeeper Martinez on his left saves and keeps the scoreline intact.

FREE KICK: Rodrigo De Paul takes the set-piece after Brazil concedes a free kick after a tackle on Otamendi.

Brazil keeps its presence on the Argentinian half and constantly is going for attacking moves to keep arch-rivals under pressure.

CORNER KICK: Lo Celso takes the kick and Otamendi leaps for a header but cannot keep it on-target.

Otamendi wins a corner kick for Argentina straight away in the second half.

Brazil starts the second half with one substitution - Nino comes in for Marquinhos.

A rough, eventful first half comes to an end with an equal scoreline. The kick-off delay and then the start lies up for an equally interesting second half.

Rodrygo downs Rodrigo De Paul to concede a free kick.

Three minutes added.

CORNER KICK: Brazil wins the corner kick but messes it up while looking for an opening goal.

CHANCE! Brazil has the ball in a very good position as Martinelli has a clear path and he takes a shot which is deflected by the Argentinian defender.

Brazil is now looking for attacking runs with the ball. Rodrygo, Rapinha and Martinelli combine to make a piercing run.

CORNER KICK: Corner Kick for Brazil but Argentina instantly gets the possession back.

FREE KICK: Raphina takes the set-peice and beat the wall but his shot was wide and not on target but Martinez gloved the ball to give a corner kick for the Selecao.

A throw-in for Argentina, but the Albiceleste makes an error in conceding the possession to Gabriel Jesus, who runs down the central channel before passing the ball to Bruno Guimaraes, who wins a free-kick in an attacking position after luring the defender to make a tough tackle on him.

FREE KICK: Augusto concedes a set-piece after tackling Lo Celso.

A lovely pass from Alisson finds Gabriel Martinelli at left channel and he dribbles past Molina and Rodrigo De Paul before stumbling down.

Throw in for Mac Allister in Argentinian half and it is the while-blue stripe t-shirt which has the possession in the last three odd minutes.

Rodrygo gets the ball, he dribbles it further and changes flank after passing a cross to Raphina, who takes a shot in hurry to lose the ball.

Andre tackles Lo Celso from behind that sees yet another stoppage in the game.

Messi has the ball in the attacking position in Brazil’s half. He takes a half-hearted shot but has been blocked well by Augusto to gain the ball possession.

The abrasive football continues from both sides as we have seen at least 10 players going down in the first 25 minutes.

Rodrygo finds himself down after Lo Celso pushes him from behind. The referee intervenes but no cards shown.

Both Raphina and Mac Allister are down on the ground after stumbling into each other. The match has seen a roung start till now.

FREE KICK: Romero takes his time before passing the ball deep where Mac Allister receives the ball.

Romero wins a free-kick on his half after Martinelli loses his patience and boots him while looking for the ball.

YELLOW CARD: Brazil concedes another booking as this time Raphina makes an unnecessary contact with Rodrigo De Paul as he flings out his hand and immediately sees a yellow card.

CORNER KICK: Raphina takes the set-piece but the Argentinian defence was intact to make a swift clearance.

An attacking run for Brazil led by Raphinha that wins him a corner kick as well.

The high on intensity match is surprisingly low on tempo in last one minute as Brazil holds the possession in its half.

FREE KICK: Messi takes the free-kick from almost 35 yards from the box but Mac Allister fails to keep his shot on target after receiving the ball.

YELLOW CARD: The referees makes no delay in booking Jesus with a yellow card meanwhile De Paul gets medical attention.

Gabriel Jesus gets the ball on the rebound and he tries to dribble past Rodrigo De Paul but instead shoulders him on ribs and his hands also fiy down to De Paul’s face that resulted in bleeding for the Argentinian.

Acuna makes a run from left before his shot has been blocked by the defence.

Augusto makes a tackle from behind on Lo Celso before the referee gives a free-kick to Argentina and a warning to the Brazilian centre-back.

Raphinha makes a solo run on the attack but the off-side flag is up instantly.

The atmosphere is absolutely electric there at the Maracana stadium as Brazil gets the initial possession.

Finally, we are underway at the Marcana stadium in Rio De Jenerio after 30 minutes of long stoppage.

Finally, some positive scenes, the Argentinian team walk back after match officials made their decision.

The match officials are on the field as many fans are going out. Argentina team still not in the ground.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Why is Brazil vs Argentina kick-off delayed?

The kick-off of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier clash between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday has been delayed after fans of both nations engaged in a fight.

Crazy scenes here as Lionel Messi alongwith his team walk back and the kick off has been delayed until further notice.

There is some delay for the kick off as fans of both nations seemed to have engaged in fight and the local police authorities are trying its best to stop it as soon as possible.

The players are lined up for their respective national anthems. We are five minutes away from kick off!

If Brazil loses this match, it will be the first time it lost consecutive competitive games against Argentina in more than 33 years.

On July 18, 1991. Brazil had lost 2-3 to Argentina in the group stage of Copa America 1991 after a 0-1 loss in the round of 16 of the 1990 World Cup on June 24, 1990.

If Argentina loses this match, it will be consecutive competitive wins for Brazil since 2019.

The players are on the pitch and practising before the high-octane clash. We are minutes away from the live action.

Alisson; Emerson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Augusto; Guimaraes, Andre; Raphinha, Martinelli, Rodrygo; Gabriel Jesus

Martinez; Acuna, Otamendi, Romero, Molina; Lo Celso, Fernandez, Mac Allister, De Paul; Alvarez, Messi.

Vinicius Jr to miss nearly two months for Real Madrid after tearing leg muscle in Brazil game against Colombia

Brazil Predicted XI: Alisson, Royal, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Telles, Raphinha, Guimaraes, Andre, Martinelli, Rodrygo, Pedro.

Argentina Predicted XI: Martinez, Tagliafico, Otamendi, Romero, Molina, Fernandez, Mac Allister, De Paul, Gonzalez, Alvarez, Messi.

11/16/2021 - Argentina 0 - Brazil 0 (World Rising 2018 - San Juan, Argentina)

07/10/2021 - Argentina 1 - Brazil 0 (Copa América 2021 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

11/15/2019 - Argentina 1 - Brazil 0 (Friendly - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

07/02/2019 – Brazil 2 - Argentina 0 (Copa América 2019 - Belo Horizonte, Brazil)

10/16/2018 - Argentina 0 - Brazil 1 (Friendly - Saudi Arabia)

Last time Brazil beat Argentina: Copa America 2019 semifinal – July 3, 2019

Last time Argentina beat Brazil: Copa America 2021 final – July 11, 2021

Armani, Benitez, E. Martinez, Musso, Molina, Tagliafico, Montiel, Pezzella, Acuna, Romero, Otamendi, Maffeo, Ortega, Paredes, De Paul, Lo Celso, Palacios, Fernandez, Rodriguez, Mac Allister, Alvarez, Messi, Di Maria, Gonzalez, Dybala, L. Martinez, Ocampos

Alisson, Perri, Bento, Emerson, Maquinhos, Gabriel, Lodi, Nino, Bremer, Augusto, Andre, Guimaraes, Luiz, Joelinton, Veiga, Martinelli, Jesus, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Pepe, Paulinho, Endrick, Pedro

Overall: Matches: 108, Brazil: 45, Argentina: 40, Draws: 23

H2H in WC Qualifiers:

Matches: 9, Brazil: 4, Argentina: 2, Draws: 3

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he ball during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match against Uruguay. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Argentina and Brazil tested new options up front on Saturday for their World Cup qualifying match next week, an encounter that could give the losing side a bitter ending to 2023.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina lost to Uruguay on Thursday its first match since it hoisted the World Cup trophy in Qatar, while the host of the superclasico will play without the injured Vinicius Junior at the Maracana Stadium after two consecutive defeats in South American qualifying.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni tested a formation in the first training, eyeing the match in Rio de Janeiro with veteran Ángel di Maria replacing Nico Gonzalez, trying to explore Brazil’s weaknesses on the flanks.

That was a problem for the World Cup champion in its 2-0 home defeat to Uruguay.

CHECK OUT THE FULL PREVIEW HERE - READ

When will the India vs Qatar 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match start?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina will take place on Wednesday, November 22, at 06:00 a.m. IST at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

Where to watch the India vs Qatar 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina will not be streamed or telecast live in India.

Follow Sportstar for live updates.

Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers match between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. Stay tuned as we bring you all the live updates of this high-octane clash.