Argentina picked up a 1-0 win over rivals Brazil on Tuesday at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã, snapping a 60-plus game unbeaten run for Brazil in home World Cup qualifiers in the process. The game’s lone goal came courtesy of defender Nicolas Otamendi in the 63rd minute. Argentina earned a corner which was taken by Giovani Lo Celso, whose curling ball was placed perfectly for Otamendi to score on a powerful header. The shot was Argentina’s first on target.
Things went from bad to worse for Brazil in the 81st minute when Joelinton picked up a red card for hitting Rodrigo De Paul. The Brazil player was sent off just nine minutes after he was substituted on.
The match was plagued by fan violence before it began, which forced a half hour delay to kickoff. Argentina players left the pitch at one point, seemingly in protest, but returned and took part in the game.
Argentina maintain top spot with five wins out of six in World Cup qualifying, while Brazil are sixth with just two wins. Brazil have lost three games in a row for the first time since 2001, and are now in the midst of a four game winless run.
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