Players from South America's most-storied soccer team had to be pepper-sprayed by the police when they attacked opponents and match officials after a defeat

• Police were forced to use pepper-spray after a chaotic post-match brawl at the Copa Libertadores.
• Boca Juniors players attempted to storm their opponents' dressing room after losing.
• One player was seen holding a fire extinguisher during the brawl while others reportedly used an iron bar.

Police were forced to use pepper spray as players of the Argentine soccer team Boca Juniors attacked the opposition and match officials following its defeat to Atletico Mineiro on Tuesday.

Boca had a goal ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) as it was beaten by the Brazilian team on penalties in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores.

Following the final whistle, chaotic scenes unfolded as Boca players tried to storm the opponent's dressing room, where the referee and his officials had taken refuge.

According to Globo Esporte, police used pepper spray to prevent the Boca players breaking in.

Boca defender Marcos Rojo, formerly of Manchester United, was seen holding a fire extinguisher during the brawl.

"After the game, the Boca players went down the tunnel and went to the visiting dressing room," Atletico Mineiro said in a statement.

"A few minutes later, the Argentine delegation left the headquarters and, in a blockade, went to the referee's dressing room.

"Mineiro's security guards tried unsuccessfully to contain them. The Argentinians then decided to invade the dressing room, where there were players, delegates, members."

The club also accused some Boca players of attempting "to attack" director of football, Rodrigo Caetano, "with an iron bar."

ESPN reports that eight Boca members, including five players, were identified by police during the attack and that the entire Boca delegation was taken to the nearest police station to give their account of the events before returning to their hotel in Belo Horizonte.

No arrests were made, says ESPN.