RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Tensions remained high Friday in Rio de Janeiro on the eve of the Copa Libertadores soccer final, following a brawl between fan clubs and a fierce police response on the Copacabana beach the previous day. The incident marred the excitement ahead of the game between Brazil’s Fluminense and Argentina’s Boca Juniors, due on Saturday at Rio de Janeiro’s famed Maracana stadium. A mob swept across Copacabana beach, sending hundreds of others stampeding away from the commotion, some clutching caipirinhas and hastily-gathered clothes. The meeting was called after Thursday's brawl on Copacabana that saw nine arrested across the city's affluent southern zone, police said. “Fluminense fans came to take photos with the Argentines and the atmosphere was relaxed until 19:30 when the police arrived, hitting people with batons, firing shots and using tear gas,” Barbero said.

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Persons: ”, Brazil Daniel Scioli, “, Facundo Barbero, ” Barbero Organizations: RIO DE, —, Copa Libertadores, Brazil’s Fluminense, Argentina’s Boca Juniors, Rio de, Conmebol, Brazilian Football Confederation, Argentine Football Association, Fluminense, Boca Juniors, Argentine's Diario, Boca, Argentine, Diario, Globo, Fluminense “ Locations: RIO DE JANEIRO, Rio de Janeiro, Maracana, Copacabana, South America, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentine, Rio