Brazil vs Argentina score, result, highlights as Brazil fall to Nicolas Otamendi goal after kickoff delayed by fight

Kyle Bonn

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Brazil vs Argentina score, result, highlights as Brazil fall to Nicolas Otamendi goal after kickoff delayed by fight image

A thunderous header by Nicolas Otamendi saw Argentina win a physical clash at the Maracana with rivals Brazil, keeping the Albiceleste atop the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings.

Yet that was nothing more than subtext for the overall narrative of the match, which was delayed by half an hour for violent clashes in the stands. The animosity transferred to the pitch across the 90 minutes, as Argentina and Brazil played to a foul fest with few chances.

Gabriel Martinelli came up empty with Brazil’s best opportunity of the match, firing a shot right at Emiliano Martinez just after halftime, and that would prove vital as Otamendi’s towering header off a corner past the hour mark was enough to see out the three points.

Brazil played wildly out of control for much of the game, whistled for an enormous 25 fouls throughout the match, but it felt harsh when Joelinton was sent off with eight minutes to go, as Rodrigo de Paul conned the referee with a blatant flop.

With the chaotic defeat, alarm bells will ring around the Brazil national team as they drop to sixth in the qualifying standings, having suffered three defeats across the opening six games.

MORE: See the latest CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying standings, fixtures, and results

The Sporting News followed the Brazil vs Argentina match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

Brazil vs Argentina final score

  Score Goal scorers
Brazil 0 —
Argentina 1 Otamendi (63')

Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. local (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT)
Location: Maracana Stadium (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Referee: Piero Maza Gomez

Starting lineups:

Brazil (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Alisson (GK) — 2. Emerson, 3. Marquinhos (Nino, 46'), 4. Gabriel (Joelinton, 72' — red card, 82'), 15. C. Augusto — Guimaraes (D. Luiz, 78'), 8. Rodrygo, 5. Andre — 11. Raphinha (Endrick, 72'), 10. Rodrygo, 7. Martinelli (Veiga, 78') — 9. G. Jesus.

Argentina (4-4-2, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 2. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 8. Acuna (Tagliafico, 66') — 7. De Paul, 17. Fernandez (Paredes, 70'), 20. Mac Allister, 16. Lo Celso (N. Gonzalez, 70') — 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez (L. Martinez, 78')

Brazil vs Argentina live updates, highlights, commentary: As it happened

FULLTIME: Brazil 0-1 Argentina

It's all over, and Argentina have come to the Maracana once again and emerged victorious. The match was a foul fest from the start, and Brazil never really asserted any kind of dominance throughout the game.

A third defeat in six matches will put Fernando Diniz under real pressure as they look to bide their time until Carlo Ancelotti arrives. The Selecao are down to sixth in the standings, which is wholly unfamiliar territory.

Brazil vs Argentina: Second Half

90+5 min: Despite their disadvantage, it's Brazil pushing for the equalizer down the stretch, and Emiliano Martinez has to get down low to scoop up a shot from distance.

87th min: This has turned into a complete foul fest, as Alexis Mac Allister is upended needlessly while flicking the ball around at a standstill.

Six minutes of stoppage time are shown.

82nd min: RED CARD, BRAZIL! JOELINTON IS OFF FOR A FOUL ON RODRIGO DE PAUL! It's a miserable red card from the referee, as de Paul was all over his arm well after the ball had gone, and then the Argentina midfielder flopped and completely conned the referee. An absolutely farcical decision — you feel for Brazil there.

76th min: Emiliano Martinez is down needing treatment, a concern for the visitors. He is able to continue as he looks to have just been wasting some time.

More substitutions come streaming onto the field, as Lautaro Martinez enters for Julian Alvarez, while Douglas Luiz replaces Bruno Guimaraes.

70th min: Two more subs for Argentina as Leandro Paredes and Nico Gonzalez on for Enzo Fernandez and Gio Lo Celso. Fernando Diniz responds by bringing young Endrick on for Raphinha in Brazil's first change.

66th min: Lionel Scaloni makes the first substitution of the match, bringing Marcos Acuna off, replaced by Nicolas Tagliafico.

Raphinha nearly puts the ball in his own net while defending a free-kick at the far post, but manages to guide it wide of the post and out for a corner.

63rd min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! NICOLAS OTAMENDI WITH A BULLET HEADER INTO THE TOP CORNER! He rises high to meet a corner and hammers it into the net past Alisson. The visitors lead at the Maracana!

62nd min: Lionel Messi, who's been playing at half speed for much of the game, charges onto a loose ball and rips a left-footed shot from about 20 yards out, but it's blocked near the top of the penalty area.

58th min: Chance, Brazil! DIBU MARTINEZ SAVES ARGENTINA AGAIN! Gabriel Jesus skins two Argentine defenders down the left flank and under heavy pressure, squares it to Gabriel Martinelli. The Arsenal winger is all alone as the defense scrambles to recover, but from about 15 yards out, he fires right at the goalkeeper, who gets down low to make the stop.

What a poor finish from Martinelli, he should have scored!

55th min: Emi Martinez makes an awkward but simple save at the near post as Raphinha gets on a long ball and pokes it on frame. He spills it, but it ends up out for a goal kick.

49th min: Brazil come close to creating a chance, but Rodrygo's swing from six yards out whiffs and fails to connect with the cross by Raphinha.

Then moments later Raphinha launches himself into the air over a defender looking to draw a foul but the referee sees right through it and waves play on. A laughable dive.

Kickoff: They're back underway at the Maracana, as it appears the fans managed to keep a lid on things through the 15 minutes of downtime.

Lionel Messi twice needed treatment on his groin during the first half, and his status will be something to watch through the final 45 minutes.

HALFTIME: Brazil 0-0 Argentina

The opening 45 minutes comes to a close with far more fouls than chances, as essentially an extension of the pre-match chaos. Brazil were completely out of control for much of the first half, as they continually committed offenses that left the referee with no choice but to blow his whistle.

Yet the hosts did manage to produce the best chance of the half, which the Argentina defensive unit barely managed to survive. After what feels like hours, the teams are headed to the dressing rooms for halftime and everyone can take a breath.

Brazil vs Argentina: First Half

45+2 min: Gabriel reacts angrily after being whistled for a foul on Julian Alvarez. The replay shows the Arsenal defender yanked Alvarez down by his shoulders and then kicked him on the ground, so it's quite unclear what he's all huffy about.

44th min: Chance, Brazil! WHAT A CHANCE FOR BRAZIL! Dibu Martinez comes off his line to produce a diving punch on a corner, which sees the Argentina goalkeeper go sailing to the turf. While he's prone, Gabriel Martinelli collects the rebound and tries to deposit it into the open net, but Cristian Romero makes the goal-line block to keep it out! The best chance for either side!

Three minutes of first-half stoppage time are shown.

43rd min: Lionel Messi again goes to the touchline for some treatment on whatever is troubling his groin. He doesn't have to come off, as he does so during a stoppage of play, but the concern is clearly there for his fitness.

38th min: Raphinha has Brazil's first shot of the match, coming from a free-kick as it sails close but not close enough, having taken a slight deflection off the Argentina wall.

33rd min: Brazil have their best attacking spell of possession so far, as Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo both provide a spark on opposite flanks. However, it comes to nothing as nobody is there in the middle to meet multiple cutbacks, and Carlos August pummels an Argentine player with a hip check as he tries to spring a counter. Augusto becomes the third Brazil player into the referee's book.

31st min: Messi has re-entered the pitch to soldier on. Nahuel Molina takes ages to put the ball back in play on a throw-in, which draws a thunder of boos from the Maracana crowd.

29th min: Argentina have a massive problem on their hands. Lionel Messi is on the touchline receiving treatment for what appears to be a groin injury. Argentina are currently playing with 10 men. He looks ready to come back on, but that's always going to cause waves of concern. We'll keep an eye on how he moves.

27th min: Chance, Argentina! Gio Lo Celso goes down in the penalty area as Marcos Acuna finds him with a cross, and while the replay does show it was a very clumsy foul from Andre, there wasn't quite enough for the referee to give a penalty. The match remains on a knife edge.

The hosts have found their sea legs and have managed to stop fouling, but Argentina remain in control of the majority of possession.

17th min: Brazil are pressing extremely high, but their forwards are so out of control every single time, and it has resulted in foul after foul. The latest offence is committed by Raphinha whose high boot catches Alexis Mac Allister, just moments after Gabrielli Martinelli was whistled for awkwardly pressing high.

Brazil head coach Fernando Diniz, who has been angrily protesting every refereeing decision so far, gets a talking to from the official. He does not get booked, for now.

14th min: Now Raphinha is booked for smacking Rodrigo de Paul right in the face. It seemed completely accidental, but the Barcelona man was wildly swinging his arms around for balance. Poor de Paul has been walloped twice in the moneymaker already.

11th min: Rodrigo de Paul is again fouled, and then seconds later Gio Lo Celso is clattered rom behind by Carlos Augusto for Brazil's sixth foul already through 11 minutes of play, including two by Augusto. The hosts are a bit out of control to begin the match.

9th min: Finally the free-kick is taken for the Jesus foul, and Nicolas Otamendi gets his head to it at the far post, but he can't direct it even remotely close to goal, instead hitting it laterally across the penalty area.

5th min: Marcos Acuna has the first chance of the match as he has a rip from about 10 yards out, but it's blocked.

As Brazil clear and look to break, Gabriel Jesus tries to hold Rodrigo de Paul off and ends up smacking him right in the face. Jesus looks back at de Paul before whacking him in the nose, so there does appear to be some intent, and he's booked for the incident.

De Paul needs some treatment for a bloody nose, and Argentine players are arguing for Jesus to be sent off, but it doesn't seem like there was quite enough in it for an escalation to a red card.

Kickoff: Finally, after a 28 minute delay for the fight in the stands, this match has kicked off at the Maracana. Buckle up, because this is absolutely going to be a wild ride.

Brazil vs Argentina: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

Update (7:55 p.m. ET): The players are back out on the field warming up, but now there's a heated exchange between the players on the pitch. Rodrygo and Lionel Messi have some angry words between them, and then players from both sides come over to engage. What a farce this is turning into.

Update (7:50 p.m. ET): Argentine players are seen returning to the pitch, which is a good sign.

Television is showing live footage of the away end, and it appears that it's mostly been sorted out. There doesn't appear to be any violent action currently in the visitor stand, so hopefully this match can continue shortly.

Brazilian security has had another absolute failure. There were clashes between Brazilian police and Argentina fans at the Copa Libertadores fan fest just weeks ago, and it happens again here. There needs to be a full review of how Brazilian authorities handle these large spectator events.

Before the players left the pitch, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was filmed attempting to keep Brazilian police from attacking Argentine supporters before his teammates pulled him back.

Update (7:44 p.m. ET): Brazil head coach Fernando Diniz and some of his Brazil players have remained out on the pitch as the fan violence continues, but all Argentina players and staff have exited the pitch, at Lionel Messi's request. The match remains in the balance, and some fans have been bloodied by the violence.

MATCH SUSPENDED: Lionel Messi and the Argentine players attempted to help sort things out as fans continued to clash with police, but the referees have pulled the players off the pitch. The players are headed back to the dressing room.

We will keep you updated as things progress. This match is suddenly at real risk of being called off if things don't calm down soon. The players and staff of both teams seem a bit distressed, especially those from Argentina.

KICKOFF DELAYED: There is a fight in the stands as Argentina fans are clashing with Brazilian police. It's absolute chaos in the away end. The match was just about to kick off, but now the players have been told to wait as things are sorted out.

It seems the clash was started between the two sets of fans, and Brazilian police responded angrily to the away fans. Argentina supporters are furious with how the local police are treating them, as they were attacked with clubs viciously, responding by ripping up chairs and throwing them at security. Ugly scenes.

Things have continued as Brazilian police have begun to aggressively clear out the away stand, as Argentine fans go streaming for cover. It's absolute mayhem. What a mess.

15 mins to kickoff: Lionel Messi has done the unthinkable at the famed Maracana fortress, and that is to get home fans rooting for him. There are multiple Brazil fans with signs of support for their opponent in a huge rivalry match. It's hard to imagine any other player in the history of the game achieving something like this. Everywhere he goes, he's beloved.

30 mins to kickoff: Argentina may very well have to win this match to stay atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings. Marcelo Bielsa has Uruguay on an absolute tear, having already beaten both Argentina and Brazil.

They have already kicked off at home against Bolivia, and just 15 minutes in Darwin Nunez has scored another exceptional goal to give them a 1-0 lead in Montevideo. A win tonight would give Uruguay the table's top spot unless Argentina match that to stay at the summit.

45 mins to kickoff: Lineups are in, and Lionel Messi starts for Argentina in a 4-4-2, which deviates from Lionel Scaloni's usual 4-3-3 deployment. Gio Lo Celso comes into the midfield, with Nico Gonzalez withdrawn.

For Brazil, Gabriel Jesus is deployed up front alongside Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli, while Endrick will have to wait for his first international start.

1 hour to kickoff: CONMEBOL yesterday announced the venues for the 2024 Copa America opening match and final. The final will be held in Miami, Florida, where one-third of the Argentine population in the United States resides. If these two teams end up meeting in that match, as they did three years ago, it could be a relatively sizable home-field advantage for the Albiceleste.

MORE: Get the latest on everything we know about the 2024 Copa America venues here

1 hour 15 mins to kick: While Brazil struggle with so many injuries, today is a massive opportunity for young attacking players Endrick and Joao Pedro. The former, just 17 years old, stuck some extra needle in this tie by saying he preferred Cristiano Ronaldo to today's opponent Lionel Messi, a sensible decision having just joined Real Madrid.

A photo of a young Endrick pointing at a poster of then-Palmeiras prospect Gabriel Jesus has been making the rounds, and now he may get his chance to deputize as the main man up front. If not, he will surely see time off the bench.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: It's often the case that we know the likely starting lineup for Argentina even up to a day or two before the match. This time, though, head coach Lionel Scaloni has gone with a different tactic — he's decided not to tell even his players until they arrive at the stadium. Team news to come in 30 minutes.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: The last time these two teams faced off at the famed Maracana, it was a milestone moment for Lionel Messi, who secured his elusive first major international trophy by winning the Copa America final in July 2021.

With no fans in attendance, Angel Di Maria's 22nd minute goal was enough to snag a 1-0 victory and give Argentina the title.

2 hours to kickoff: While always a thrilling affair, the match between Brazil and Argentina usually has little tangible bearing on the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, as both are often sitting in comfortable positions. With the World Cup expansion seeing more teams reach the final tournament this cycle, it was expected that this match would have even less competitive meaning.

Yet now, with Argentina sitting precariously atop the standings and Brazil languishing down in fifth, there's far more than simply pride on the line at the Maracana tonight.

Brazil vs Argentina lineups, team news

The major news for Brazil is a knee injury that forced attacker Vinicius Jr out of the Colombia game during the first half and could keep the Real Madrid livewire out until 2024. Manchester United midfielder and Brazil captain Casemiro is out of the squad with a hamstring problem. The Selecao are also without Neymar due to a long-term knee injury.

Ederson pulled out of the squad injured, so Liverpool's Alisson starts in goal again.Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus missed the Colombia game with a hamstring issue, but returns to full fitness in this match, meaning young Endrick will have to wait for his first international start.

Brazil starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson (GK) — Emerson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, C. Augusto — Guimaraes, Andre — Raphinha, Rodrygo, Martinelli — G. Jesus.

Brazil subs (12): Bento (GK), Perri (GK), Bremer, Nino, R. Lodi, D. Luiz, Veiga, Paulinho, Joelinton, Pepe, J. Pedro, Endrick.

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho didn't make the Argentina squad, which is a sign of how much strength in depth manager Lionel Scaloni can call upon.

Lionel Messi, as expected, start in a free role alongside Julian Alvarez in a 4-4-2, with the likes of Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez tasked with covering the ground behind him. Gio Lo Celso is recalled for his first start since before the 2022 World Cup, as he add an extra midfielder in place of winger Nico Gonzalez.

Argentina starting lineup (4-4-2): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna — Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul, Lo Celso — Messi, Alvarez.

Argentina subs (12): Armani (GK), Musso (GK), Tagliafico, Pezzella, Montiel, G. Rodriguez, Paredes, Palacios, Ocampos, N. Gonzalez, Di Maria, L. Martinez.

How to watch Brazil vs Argentina

Here's how to watch this World Cup Qualifier across selected areas of the world's major regions:

Region TV Streaming
USA Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo Vix
Canada  —

 —

UK  —  bet365
Australia SBS SBS On Demand
India  —  —
Hong Kong  —  —
Malaysia Astro SuperSport 3 Astro Go, sooka
Singapore  —  —
New Zealand  —  —
International — bet365, Fanatiz

 

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.