Argentina wins tense basketball thriller against Brazil in Rio
Argentina came from behind twice to force double-overtime and snatch a thrilling 111-107 Olympic basketball win against hosts Brazil held amid fears of violence between fans of the South American rivals.
Argentina forward Andres Nocioni had 37 points and speedy guard Facundo Campazzo put in 13 of his 33 in extra time.
The game took place under heavy security after previous unruly spectator behaviour at the Olympics.
There is particular spice between Argentina and Brazil due to decades of football rivalry but no incidents were immediately reported.
Nocioni sank a three-pointer with four seconds in regulation to stun the deafening crowd of mostly Brazilian fans and force overtime at 85-85.
Brazil led by as much as six points in the first extra period but Campazzo brought Argentina back by repeatedly slashing to the basket against a tiring Brazilian defence.
His fast-break lay-up with 36 seconds left in the first overtime tied it again at 95-95 and triggered the second extension.
Argentina then went up by as much as eight and held on.
The result deals a blow to Brazil's chances of advancing to the medal rounds.
They face winless Nigeria on Monday in the final group game.
Brazilian centre Nene Hilario had 24 points in a losing effort.
Dozens of armed security personnel were on hand for the game in Rio's Olympic Park.
In a sign of the tensions, team captains Marcelinho Huertas of Brazil and Luis Scola of Argentina met at half court before tip-off to take the microphone in a joint plea for civility.
"We are South American brothers, and we ask everybody to support us in the spirt of the Olympics and in a civil manner," Huertas said.
Argentina assured its place in the quarter-finals by going to 3-1.
Argentina jumped out to an early 11-point lead on 21 first-half points by the veteran Nocioni.
Brazil stormed back on the fast break with a 16-2 spurt to end the half in front 52-44.
But Argentina, led by three veterans from their 2004 Athens gold-medal winning side in Nocioni, Brooklyn Nets forward Scola, and guard Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, refused to buckle.