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Joelinton Sent Off As Argentina Beat Brazil Thanks To Brilliant Nicolas Otamendi Header

Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday night.

It was Brazil's first ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifier.

Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi scored the game's only goal in the 63rd minute.

Otamendi rose remarkably high to meet a Giovani Lo Celso corner kick with a towering header from nine yards.

Nicolas Otamendi pictured celebrating after scoring the winning goal for Argentina in a 1-0 away victory over Brazil in November 2023

Nicolas Otamendi pictured celebrating after scoring the winning goal for Argentina in a 1-0 away victory over Brazil

Brazil went down to 10 men in the 81st minute when Newcastle midfielder Joelinton was shown a questionable red card for violent conduct.

Joelinton was sent off for pushing Rodrigo De Paul to the ground after the Argentina man had been holding onto his arm.

The alleged violence displayed by Joelinton was nothing compared to what had been witnessed in the crowd before the game.

Kick-off at the Estadio do Maracana had been delayed by 28 minutes due to ugly clashes between Brazilian police officers and Argentina fans.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez tried to intervene by attempting to slap a baton out of an officer's hand, before captain Lionel Messi ordered his team to retreat to the locker rooms.

Brazil have now failed to score against Argentina in four consecutive matches.

Highlights: Brazil 0-1 Argentina