NEWCASTLE United star Joelinton was sent off for Brazil in a home defeat to Argentina that was marred by crowd trouble and ugly scenes at the the Maracana Stadium.
Kick-off was delayed by half an hour in Rio de Janeiro after rival fans and police clashed, with both sets of players trying to calm the situation down before eventually returning to the dressing room before the game could commence.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was filmed trying to climb the hoarding to stop a police officer wielding a baton before being pulled away by team-mates.
Once the order was restored, Nicolas Otamendi’s second-half header gave Argentina an historic World Cup qualifying victory, with Joelinton sent off for the hosts. The Newcastle midfielder came off the bench on 72 minutes but saw red just nine minutes later when he struck out at Rodrigo De Paul to compound a miserable night for the hosts, with the inquest to their poor form and the ugly scenes in the stadium set to rumble on.
Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes started for Brazil, whose path to the 2026 World Cup now looks decidedly shaky after their first ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifier and their third in a row after previous losses to Uruguay and Colombia.
Brazil are now sixth in the South American World Cup qualifying table, while world champions Argentina top the pile.
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Lionel Messi said on Argentina’s X feed: “This group continues to achieve historic things. Although today was not the most important, it is something very nice.
“We needed this victory after the defeat against Uruguay.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, similar to the one in the Copa America final. They pressed a lot, they went to look for us high up and it was difficult for us to have long possessions. These games are defined by details.”
Bruno and Joelinton will now head back to Tyneside ahead of Newcastle's visit of Chelsea this Saturday as Premier League action resumes. Bruno will be available for Eddie Howe's side having served a one-match ban in the defeat to Bournemouth before the break.
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