(VIDEO) The fight in the Brazil-Argentina game and Mac Allister's unexpected reaction to Alisson's sight of him

Violence returned to the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Last night, the most eagerly awaited match of the Conmebol qualifiers between Argentina and Brazil experienced episodes of chaos before the game that put the match in doubt. In the stands of the Maracana, fans of both teams clashed as they awaited the start of the match. After the clashes between fans, the police intervened and things got louder. The clashes between fans and police caused terror among the uninvolved fans, some of whom even jumped onto the pitch to seek refuge. One woman in Brazil colours tried to protect her children in the confines of the pitch. The scenes relived the most dramatic moments of football violence.

The national anthem ceremony had begun when fighting broke out at the Maracana. Players from both teams approached the area of the stands where the most intense clashes were taking place. With disorder spreading in the stands, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez went over to ask the police to put a stop to the violence. Then Argentina star Lionel Messi signalled to the referee, and the reigning world champions' players left for the dressing room seven minutes after the match was scheduled to start.

We're not playing, we're leaving," Messi said in footage captured by the official broadcast before leading the players back to the dressing room. The Brazil players were still on the pitch. After half an hour's delay and the intervention on the pitch of Argentine federation officials, the South American World Cup qualifier got underway.

The meeting between Mac Allister and Alisson

This game was of particular interest to Liverpool fans as it featured a meeting between Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson, but it didn't quite go to plan. It was just before the fight in the stands when the two Anfield players met in the exit tunnel and had a very cold greeting, something unexpected as they were expected to be more effusive, but it is understandable because of the tension before the game.