WATCH: Emi Martinez attempts to fight off Brazilian police after they attack Argentina fans at Maracana

Emi Martinez was seen making an attempt to fight the police ahead of a major match between Brazil and Argentina, which transformed into a chaotic scene of violence. The clash between fans and the police escalated to a point where it triggered a fierce reaction that saw the Argentine team leave the pitch.

The tension began with fans of both sides fighting each other. However, this reached its breaking point during the national anthems, as the security forces launched a brutal crackdown on the Albicelestes supporters. Brazilian police officers, wielding force with little restraint, violently confronted the Argentine fans (via Daily Mail).

Goalkeeper Emi Martinez took a stand against the police, engaging in a physical altercation in a defiant act of resistance, as can be seen below (video credit: TyC Sports):

As the Argentine players tried valiantly to diffuse the mounting conflict, their efforts proved futile. Realizing the gravity of the situation and concerned for their safety, Lionel Messi was seen retreating to the locker room with his teammates.

This isn't the first time a clash between both South American giants has seen major disturbances. Notably, while they were both qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, a match was abandoned due to alleged breaches of COVID-19 protocol.

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Emi Martinez has clinched Yashin Trophy after World Cup triumph with Argentina

Emi Martinez achieved a remarkable feat by securing the 2023 Yashin Trophy during the Ballon d'Or gala in Paris. This accolade, named in honor of the legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, is bestowed upon the world's best goalkeeper every year.

In a close contest, Brazil's Ederson attained the second spot, while Yassine Bounou from Morocco came third. Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen also featured on this list, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

However, although the Argentina goalkeeper won the Yashin Trophy, he did not secure the highest position among goalkeepers in the overall Ballon d'Or rankings. In the Golden Ball's vote, Martinez was ranked 15th. This positioning was surprisingly lower than his counterpart, Bounou, who was placed 13th.

He wasn't the only winner from Argentina on the night as Lionel Messi went on to win the Ballon d'Or. The legendary playmaker was a vital source of goals and assists in their third-ever World Cup win, which was enough for him to seal his eighth Ballon d'Or win. His efforts with Paris Saint-Germain, which helped them win the Ligue 1 title, were also beneficial to his chances at the coveted individual award.