Brazil vs Argentina: Violence rocks game as Lionel Messi orders players to leave pitch

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Brazil vs Argentina abandoned after fight broke out in the stands

The much-awaited 2026 World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina descended into chaos after massive crowd trouble rocked the game a few seconds before the kickoff.

Both teams had already walked out of the tunnel and as they were taking the ceremonial squad photos before the game, a fight broke out in the stands.

Footage shows Brazilian police trying to restore order by lashing fans with batons. Argentina players made a dash to the crowd area to try and help restore calm, with goalkeeper Emi Martinez getting involved in an altercation with a police officer.

Goal reports that the fracas reportedly started after the home fans were heard booing Argentina's national anthem.

Lionel Messi was then spotted ordering his side to go back to the dressing room but reemerged a couple of minutes later, with the game kicking off 30 minutes from its original scheduled time.

The first half was hotly contested, with the Selecao failing to maximise their high possession stats. Fernando Diniz's side came into this game in desperate need of a good result after dropping points in the last three successive games in the qualifiers.

Argentina, meanwhile, lost to Uruguay last week, the first time they had lost since going down to Saudi Arabia in the first game of their 2022 World Cup campaign.