Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Argentina is delayed as mass brawl erupts in the stands with fans hitting each other with seats before clashing with Rio police armed with batons in shocking scenes

A mass brawl broke out in the stands of the Maracana ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Argentina as fans and police clashed in shocking scenes.

The World Cup winners faced old rivals Brazil on Tuesday night at the infamous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but the blockbuster match was marred before it had even started.

Before the match, rival supporters began fighting each other during the Brazilian national anthem before clashing with Brazilian police, delaying the kick-off by half an hour.

It is unclear what caused the incident, but rival supporters were seen showing off each other, with some even ripping the seats from the stands and launching them at each other.

Rio de Janeiro police quickly intervened but struggled to contain the fight before shockingly using batons on the brawling fans.

Supporters of rivals began fighting each other before clashing with Brazilian police

Lionel Messi led the Argentine players off the field and the kick-off was postponed due to the violence

The reigning World Cup winners initially appeared to refuse to return to the field

Parts of chairs flew and hit some spectators behind one of the goals. At least one fan left the stadium bleeding from the head, while video of the scenes showed a supporter bleeding profusely on the ground.

Some players from both Brazil and Argentina approached the stands in an attempt to calm the fans.

However, a handful of players only added fuel to the fire as Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez jumped into the stands and appeared to try to grab a baton from a police officer’s hand before being snatched from the scene by his teammates.

Lionel Messi eventually led the Albiceleste players back to the changing rooms.

The reigning World Cup winners initially appeared to refuse to return to the pitch for kick-off, before CONMEBOL gave them 15 minutes to enter the field.

Argentina told their Brazilian rivals that they would not return to the field until the situation calmed down.

They eventually returned to the locker room after 22 minutes and warmed up for another three minutes before the match finally started.

Argentinian goalkeeper Dibu Martinez jumped to the stands and tried to grab a stick

Parts of chairs flew and hit some spectators behind one of the goals

Some Brazilian fans climbed over the balustrade to escape the violence in the stands

Some fans were seen bleeding from their heads as at least one left the stadium

Other supporters at the Maracana were seen crying as the violence subsided

A mother is seen protecting her young children as they flee the choic scenes

Albiceleste players approached the stands in an attempt to calm the fans

The police baton attack caught the attention of Argentinians as they stood in line

Some fans climbed over the railing to escape the violence in the stands, while mothers sheltered young children.

Other supporters were seen in tears after the violent scenes were finally quelled, clearly shaken as they waited to see their teams in action.

As the match started, dozens of police officers surrounded Argentina’s fans as they cheered, and were met with even more security on the pitch. Police officers gathered around the section that holds about 3,000 fans.

All 69,000 tickets for the match in Rio de Janeiro had been sold. Brazilian fans, who booed and applauded Messi before the brawl began, chanted at him as he returned to the pitch.

Brazil has never lost a World Cup qualifier on its soil.

Both teams are playing after defeats in the previous qualifying round; the locals lost 2-1 at Colombia, and the World Cup champions were defeated 2-0 at home by Uruguay.

Argentina leads the South American qualifying group of ten teams with twelve points in five matches. Uruguay is second with 10 points. Colombia has nine and Venezuela eight. Brazil hosts the World Cup champions in fifth place, with seven points.

Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile each have five points. Bolivia has three and Peru one.

The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will feature 48 teams, meaning the top six teams from South America will compete directly. The seventh-place team can earn a spot in an intercontinental play-off.