WORLD CUP
Argentina defeats Brazil after a skirmish delays the game in the Maracanã, Messi departs the contest early.
A busy but exciting year for Lionel Messi is now over.
The World Cup winner and star of Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, was kept without a point in his last 2023 game and seemed to have re-injured his leg. Nevertheless, his team won.
Tuesday night in Rio de Janeiro's legendary Maracanã Stadium, Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to a header from Nicolás Otamendi in the 64th minute of a 2026 World Cup qualification match.
Messi and Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup, but they won the 2021 Copa America, so it was an exciting day in the Maracanã.
Despite brawling in the fans that delayed the contest, Argentina handed Brazil its first-ever home loss in a World Cup qualification match in what may have been Messi's final game at the iconic Brazilian arena.
After the match, Messi remarked, "We needed this victory after the defeat against Uruguay.""We were aware that the game would be difficult, much like the Copa América final. They put a lot of pressure on us, searched us from a height, and made it hard for us to have lengthy possessions. The subtleties in these games characterize them."
Messi led the scoring record going into the game with 31 goals in CONMEBOL play, but he had not scored against Brazil. After 77 minutes, he was unable to alter that distinction and left the game as a replacement.
Messi seems to have hurt his right leg during the Brazil match in the first half. In the 28th minute of the game, he had his right quadricep examined by a trainer on the sidelines, but he continued to play.
It's unknown if Messi's ailment forced him to quit the game early. He was hindered by a similar right leg issue that prevented him from playing in six Inter Miami games and a September qualification.
"On the field in the conditions that he played in today, Leo is the only player in the entire globe." In his post-match press conference, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni stated, "He gave the team a hand and did it to the best of his ability."
Messi stated that he "felt hurt early in the game, but I handled it." It's not so bad, and I intend to return stronger.
Fighting in the stands caused a minimum of 25-minute delay in the start of the contest. Before the game, Messi and his Argentine teammates leaped over a barrier to approach an area where police were mediating between supporters.
When the commotion died down and the 7:30 p.m. kickoff time arrived, Messi led his Argentine squad back into the changing room. Shortly after 7:55 p.m. ET, ET started.
Messi was given a foul in the opening minute of play and managed just one shot during the game, a left boot that struck a Brazilian defender minutes before the game's winning goal.
Giovani Lo Celso's corner kick found its way into the net as Otamendi leaped above two Brazilian defenders.
After six CONMEBOL matches in September, October, and November, Argentina has fifteen points.
With his historic move from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami this year and his World Cup victory with Argentina in December, Messi is nearing the end of his extraordinary career.
Inter Miami had earlier on Tuesday denied any participation in a possible match that may have pitted rival Cristiano Ronaldo against Messi in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of 2019.
Messi will now focus on taking some well-earned time off for the remainder of the year before returning to Inter Miami for training camp in January.
Brawl in the fans postpones Argentina vs. Brazil game
A problem in the stands at Rio de Janeiro's famous Maracanã Stadium caused the start of Argentina vs. Brazil's match on Tuesday to be delayed.
Although the Argentina-Brazil match was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET and be televised by Telemundo, play started just after 7:55 p.m. ET.
Due to violence among some of the supporters before to the match, Lionel Messi and other players of the Argentine national team approached the stands. Messi and his teammates crossed a barrier to enter an area where police were stepping in to direct them into the stands.
Messi and his colleagues went to the dressing rooms after leaving the vicinity of the bleachers to reenter the field. Argentina may have gone back inside to prepare for the pregame lineup announcement, although this remained uncertain.
When the Argentine team ultimately returned to start the match, the Brazilian players stayed on the field.
There was a noticeable police presence in the grandstand and on the field when the television panned to the people.
At 77', Messi exits the game: Argentina 1, Brazil 0.
In the 77th minute of Argentina's match against Brazil, Leo Messi was replaced.
That ends his night.
It's uncertain if Messi was weary in the 28th minute due to a right quad issue that a trainer had treated for him close to the Argentina bench.
But Messi's 2023 is over. He hasn't scored in his last four games, and he was goalless in what might have been his last game at Maracanã Stadium. Prior to Tuesday's game, Messi had never scored a goal against Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match. That record will stand. Nicolás Otamendi Goal: Argentina 1, Brazil 0 Otamendi was in the right place at the right time, and Argentina is ahead thanks to his header in the 64th minute.
Giovani Lo Celso's corner kick was taken by Otamendi, who cleared two Brazilian defenders to put it in the net.
Messi didn't have the best of looks as he attempted a left-footed shot toward the goal almost three minutes prior.
Even yet, Argentina is already ahead in this intense second half of the match over Brazil.
Brazil loses to Argentina 0 in 58' after missing their finest opportunity.
In the 58th minute, Argentine goalie Emiliano MartÃnez stopped Gabriel Martinelli's right boot after Gabriel Jesus led a charge from Brazil into the net.
Like the first half and prior clashes in this match, Argentina and Brazil have both played chippy in the second half.
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