Tensions flared at the end of the Argentina vs Brazil clash as Raphinha and Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez had to be physically separated following a heated exchange. The confrontation came after Argentina's dominant 4-1 victory at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, in a match filled with emotion, controversy, and classic rivalry.

Pre-match remarks ignite post-game fire

Before the highly anticipated South American classic, Raphinha made headlines by claiming Brazil would deliver a "beating" to Argentina. The comments were seen as disrespectful by some in the Argentine camp, and they set the stage for post-match drama.

After the final whistle, Martínez shoved Raphinha as the teams were heading toward the tunnel. The Brazilian winger responded immediately, confronting both Martínez and Leandro Paredes, who had also exchanged words with him. The situation escalated until Endrick, Raphinha's young teammate, stepped in to hold him back and defuse the altercation.

Throughout the match, "Dibu" Martínez added fuel to the fire with provocative behavior, including juggling the ball in his own penalty area—a move that amused the home fans but infuriated the Brazilian bench. Known for his strong personality and mental games, Martínez once again became a central figure in the narrative beyond the final scoreline.

Post-match reactions

In the mixed zone, Martínez addressed the altercation and took a swipe at Raphinha’s comments:

"This kid needs a little education. You can’t talk like that before a game like this."

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, however, opted for a more measured tone:

"I don’t think Raphinha meant to offend. These are things that happen in football. The rivalry is intense, but we must respect each other."