Argentina captain Leo Messi blasted Brazilian police after today's World Cup qualifying win at the Maracana.

Fans started fighting during the national anthems, which led to Brazilian police entering the away section and attacking Argentina fans.

Police were seen punching supporters some fans were seen with bloodied faces as they were taken from the stadium on a stretcher.

Messi led a group of players to the stands in an attempt to calm tempers, before leaving the pitch and returning to the dressing room.

"It was bad because we saw how they were beating people ... The police, as it already happened in the Libertadores final, were once again repressing the people with night sticks, there were players who had families over there," Messi said in a pitchside television interview.

"We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, it could have ended in tragedy.

"You think about the families, the people who are there, who don't know what's going on and we were more concerned about that than playing a match that, at that point, was of secondary importance."

Argentina won 1-0 with a 63rd-minute winner from defender Nicolas Otamendi.