Two Argentine fans wounded by bullets in Rio before the Recopa Sudamericana match

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Two Argentine fans were shot and wounded in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, a day before the second leg of the Recopa Sudamericana final between visiting Racing and Botafogo.

Local media reported that the two fans were on a beach in the Barra da Tijuca region, in the west of the city, when they were attacked by an unidentified man, who shot them.

One of the victims underwent surgery at Miguel Couto Hospital and the other was in stable condition at Lourenço Jorge Hospital, Rio's health department said in a statement.

Television footage showed one of the fans being airlifted away by Rio's fire department.

Rio police are investigating and said no arrests have been made.

The Recopa Sudamericana title is contested between the last winners of the Copa Libertadores (Botafogo) and the Copa Sudamericana (Racing).

Last week, the Argentine team beat Botafogo 2-0 in Buenos Aires. The return match takes place this Thursday at the Nilton Santos Stadium.

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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool.