Shocking moment Ecuador and Mexico fans brawl in the stands as brutal punches are thrown during Copa America clash
Shortly after the final whistle blew between Mexico and Ecuador in the group stage of the Copa America, a violent brawl broke out between fans of both teams, resulting in injuries to supporters of both countries.
It is unclear how the fight began. Fans of the opponents in Group B were packed into State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The video opens with an Ecuadorian fan lying injured on the ground, wrestling with a Mexican national team supporter.
Above them on the right is a Mexican fan in a light-colored El Tri shirt who then attacks another Ecuadorian fan.
The Ecuadorian fan in the yellow shirt and red-and-white cap answers the attack with a punch that hits the Mexican fan in the jaw, causing him to slump over his chair for a moment.
The Mexican fan in the light-colored El Tri shirt throws a punch at an Ecuadorian fan
The Ecuadorian supporter in yellow responded by punching the Mexican fan in the face
Another man, wearing a black shirt with a Tecate beer logo on the back, steps forward to push away the hard-hitting Ecuadorian fan, but he doesn’t appear to throw any punches himself.
The Mexican fan leaning over his chair was not knocked unconscious by the blow, but remained hunched over the chair in pain, checking his mouth and jaw for damage.
The video ends before stadium security intervenes or the crowd disperses.
The final group match between Mexico and Ecuador ended in a goalless draw, meaning the South American team advanced to the knockout stage based on goal difference against El Tri.
The frustration was visible on the pitch among the Mexican players, who were hoping to avoid another disaster after the team’s last international matches were deemed a failure.
The Mexico national team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup for the first time in nine appearances, losing 3-0 to rivals the United States in last year’s CONCACAF Nations League semi-final.
Frustration or not, tensions ran high in the stands, with several people on the ground after a brawl.