Argentina Returns to Brazil for World Cup Qualifiers, Marked by a Turbulent Entrance
Just over two years have passed since the Albiceleste last visited Scratch, but that fleeting five-minute moment sent shockwaves around the globe. The Argentina national team headed back to Brazil for South American World Cup qualifying, a return that followed their memorable journey toward Qatar and came amid memory of a contest that collapsed early.
The match, staged at the Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, began with high expectations but quickly devolved into controversy. After only five minutes of play, a wide disruption erupted that would lead CONMEBOL to suspend the game, ultimately declaring the match with no result and without sanctions against either side. The episode left a lasting imprint on the qualifying campaign and on how officiating and health protocols intersect in high-stakes matches.
THE CONMEBOL SUSPENSION THAT ENDED THE MATCH EARLY
WHAT WENT WRONG ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2021?
The date marked the sixth round of the World Cup qualifiers, a phase Argentina’s squad under Lionel Scaloni navigated on the road to securing a place in the tournament that followed their triumph over the long wait for a title. The encounter with Brazil carried a sense of payback for the Copa América victory, achieved at the Maracanã against the team coached by Tite at the time. The context wasn’t merely about who won or lost; it was about how the pandemic era affected football’s rhythm and safety rules that governed the sport.
Public attendance was still restricted, and players faced strict protocols designed to minimize risk. Isolation, health affidavits, and continuous testing framed daily life for the teams. It was within this framework that the clash took on a tense atmosphere even before the action began, with political and health authorities closely watching every motion on the field.
Equally pivotal was the lingering dispute over travel documentation. Brazilian health authorities had moved to request the removal from the squad of Emiliano Martínez, Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, and Emiliano Buendía, alleging falsified records about travel through several countries under health restrictions. The accusations suggested that some players had not properly complied with mandatory quarantines. The situation intensified as authorities sought to verify the veracity of each claim and the implications for the squad’s eligibility to participate.
In the ensuing chaos, an ANVISA official entered the pitch with the aim of detaining the players named in the allegations. The moment sparked a standoff between security forces, the federation, and the teams on the field. After tense negotiations and intervention from CONMEBOL, the Argentinians chose to withdraw from the field, and the match was abandoned amid the confusion and controversy.
Plenty of legal maneuvering followed. Both sides argued for the match to be awarded in their favor—Brazil on grounds of abandonment and Argentina on grounds of interference by local officials. As conflicts continued into the months that followed, the competition organizers ultimately declared the game canceled. The decision left a lasting stain on the qualifying campaign, a reminder of how health, travel rules, and on-pitch events can collide in high-stakes football.