WATCH: 'Watch your mouth!' - Lionel Messi rages at Rodrygo for 'cowards' jibe after running to back up Rodrigo De Paul in heated exchange as Argentina return to the pitch following 30-minute kick-off delay vs Brazil

Tuesday's World Cup qualifier was pushed back half-an-hour following clashes with Albiceleste supporters at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium - and the hostilities didn't end there. Immediately after the players returned to the pitch, De Paul and Rodrygo could be seen in deep - and antagonistic - conversation, before Messi rushed over to support his Argentina colleague.

According to reports from TyC Sports, Rodrygo accused Messi, De Paul and Argentina of being "cowards", after the Albiceleste captain threatened a walk-off due to continued brutality from Brazilian police. In response, Messi is said to have retorted: "We are the world champions, why are we cowards? Watch your mouth."

The match was eventually played despite the initial lengthy delay, and a Nicolas Otamendi goal was enough to consign Brazil to their third straight defeat and their first ever at home in World Cup qualifying. The rivalry was far from over after the full time whistle, as Messi took to Instagram to call out the "crazy" violence suffered by Argentina fans at the hands of Brazilian authorities.

The Albiceleste captain will be celebrating his team bouncing back from their defeat to Uruguay in their last outing, meaning they sit top of the CONMEBOL table - a massive five places ahead of their bitter rivals. Messi will now enjoy a rest period ahead of a return to club football with Inter Miami next year, although an all-star match-up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr in February has been disputed by his employers.