Mass brawl breaks out in Times Square between rival World Cup fans in shocking scenes
Violent scenes broke out between Argentina and Algeria fans before their World Cup clash.
A mass brawl erupted in New York City on Monday night, a day before the two sides met in their World Cup group J game.
Footage shared to social media showed the disorder between supporters who had gathered in Times Square.
Supporters wearing Argentina and Algeria shirts were involved in several altercations at the Manhattan landmark.
Police officers could be seen stepping in to separate the fans, whilst others attempted to calm the situation.
Fans had gathered the night before the two sides were due to meet in Kansas City on Tuesday.
What began as peaceful chanting and singing soon turned unsavoury, though, as insults were traded.
Videos from the incident showed punches and kicks being thrown, with one fan left with a bloodied mouth in the footage.
However, police have since confirmed that there were no injuries reported.
The New York Post also report that the NYPD made one arrest, with a fan charged with criminal disorderly-conduct.
It marks one of the first incidents of fan violence at this summer’s World Cup.
Messi makes history
Meanwhile, Argentina and Algeria faced off at Arrowhead Stadium the following night.
The stadium is located 1,187 miles away from Times Square in Kansas City, Missouri.
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick saw the defending champions begin their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
His strikes also saw the 38-year-old equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 goals.
Argentina’s two remaining group stage fixtures against Austria and Jordan will both be played in Arlington, Texas.
Algeria are also not scheduled to play in New York during the group stage.
Instead, Vladimir Petkovic’s side face Jordan in Santa Clara, California on Monday.
They then conclude the opening round against Austria back in Kansas City on June 27.
The MetLife Stadium, which has been renamed the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the tournament, will host eight matches this summer.
Those include England’s final group fixture against Panama on Saturday, June 27.
It will also host the World Cup final as well as matches in the last 32 and last 16.
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