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Lionel Messi says Argentina\u2019s 1-0 victory over Brazil at the Maracana will be \u201cmarked by repression of Argentinians\u201d after the game was delayed by crowd trouble.<\/p>\n
Kick-off was put back by half-an-hour in Rio de Janeiro as rival fans clashed with police, with both sets of players trying to calm the situation down before eventually returning to the dressing rooms before the game could get under way.<\/p>\n
The crowd trouble began during the national anthems as police charged at away supporters using batons, causing a mass brawl which led to some fans spilling on to the pitch to escape the trouble in the stands.<\/p>\n
Once the trouble had subsided, Nicolas Otamendi\u2019s second-half header from a corner settled the contest, while Brazil\u2019s Joelinton saw red for a shove on Rodrigo de Paul late on.<\/p>\n
The loss condemned the hosts to their third straight defeat in World Cup qualifying and their first ever on home soil.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi said the \u201cgreat victory\u201d could have ended in \u201ctragedy\u201d.<\/p>\n
Quoted on the BBC, he said: \u201cWe went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, it could have ended in tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ballon d\u2019Or winner added on Instagram: \u201cGreat victory in the Maracana, although it will be marked by the repression of the Argentinians in Brazil.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis can\u2019t be tolerated, it\u2019s insane and it needs to end now!\u201d<\/p>\n