Be real - Kane's curse had no chance against Madrid's voodoo

Joselu, you can't be serious?! Super-sub is Madrid's hero

Oh no, Neuer! Bayern legend goes from UCL hero to zero

Liverpool facing a massive Darwin dilemma this summer

The PSG project: A €1.9bn European embarrassment

📽️ | Joselu scores insane double to overturn UCL semi-final

📽️ | Kane snubs Messi as he picks best finisher of all time

Champions League top scorers 2023-24: Golden Boot race

📽️ | Real fans bizarrely target Messi with abusive chants

Should Bayern be concerned by Kane's big-game problem?

PSG & Mbappe set unwanted record during Champions League exit

Neymar sends message after providing food relief to Brazil

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Albiceleste clashed with Selecao in November 2023</li><li>Fights broke out in the stands at iconic Rio venue</li><li>World champions eventually won the game 1-0</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Lionel Messi to play in front of half-empty stadium! Argentina and Brazil punished by FIFA for fan disorder in 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Maracana

Action has also been taken against Brazil following crowd trouble at the Marcacana prior to a 2026 World Cup qualifying game between two fierce rivals in November 2023. Both the Selecao and Albiceleste have been fined 50,000 Swiss francs for “failure to ensure that law and order are maintained”, while Argentina must also pay 20,000 Swiss francs for “lack of order or discipline in or around the stadium”.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/brawl-in-crowd-forces-delay-of-argentina-s-world-cup-qualifier-at-brazil-as-lionel-messi-leads-team-mates-into-dressing-room/blt947098ee482259d6" target="_blank">Fighting among supporters led to the game in question being delayed by 27 minutes</a>, with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rodrygo-father-takes-aim-little-saint-lionel-messi-argument-chaotic-2026-world-cup-qualifier-brazil-argentina-maracana/bltf28ffbc3087c9e0e" target="_blank">Messi leading his side off the field before order was restored</a>. When the match got underway, Argentina claimed a 1-0 win and inflicted a historic home World Cup qualifying defeat on Brazil.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

FIFA has also fined Argentina 50,000 Swiss francs as a result of misconduct by fans at two previous World Cup qualifiers, which will be “invested in a plan against discrimination”, with a suspended fine for the same amount left hanging over Lionel Scaloni’s side – which could be activated inside the next six months.

DID YOU KNOW?

Argentina have been informed that their next home fixture, which is currently a meeting with Chile in September, will take place with “at least 50% of the available seats” taken off the market. The reigning world champions top the South American qualification table after six matches, with Brazil surprisingly languishing down in sixth.

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi to play in front of half-empty stadium! Argentina and Brazil punished by FIFA for fan disorder in 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Maracana | Goal.com Cameroon

Lionel Messi will play in front of a half-empty stadium the next time Argentina take in a home game, with FIFA punishing the 2022 World Cup winners.

Editors' Picks