Moments after the final whistle blew between Mexico and Ecuador in the group stage of the Copa America, fans of both teams engaged in a heated fight that left supporters from both countries injured.
It’s unclear how the fight started, with fans of the Group B opponents crowding into State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The video begins with an Ecuadorian fan on the ground, injured, fighting with a supporter of the Mexican national team.
Right above them is a Mexican fan wearing a light-colored El Tri shirt who then attacks another Ecuadorian fan.
The Ecuadorian fan in the yellow shirt and red and white cap responds with a punch that connects with the Mexican fan’s jaw, leaving him momentarily limp and collapsed in his seat.
The Mexican fan wearing the light El Tri shirt throws a punch at an Ecuadorian fan
The Ecuadorian fan in yellow responded with a punch to the Mexican fan’s face
Then another man in a black T-shirt with the Tecate beer logo on the back approaches to push away the hard-hitting Ecuadorian fan, but does not appear to throw any punches himself.
The Mexican fan who was slumped in his chair was not knocked out by the blow, but remained hunched over the chair in pain as his mouth and jaw were checked for damage.
The video ends before stadium security intervenes or the crowd disperses.
The final group stage match between Mexico and Ecuador ended in a goalless draw, meaning the South American side advanced to the knockout rounds on goal difference over El Tri.
Frustration was evident on the pitch from Mexican players hoping to avoid another catastrophe after the team’s last international outings had been deemed failures.
Mexico were eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the first time in nine appearances and lost 3-0 to rivals the United States in last year’s CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.
Frustration or not, tension erupted in the stands with several people on the ground after the fight.
