At least 78 arrests were reported in the fighting, which spilled out onto a busy rush-hour freeway after Tigre defeated Nueva Chicago 2-1, which was relegated from Argentina's first division.

"We regret to announce one death," said Dr. Alberto Crescenti, director of paramedics services for Buenos Aires. He said a 41-year-old man died from head wounds.

Police, who appeared initially overwhelmed by the fighting, were backed up by reinforcements firing tear gas and rubber bullets as rock-throwing fans scattered from the stadium in the Mataderos section of the capital.