30 best soccer rivalries in the world

2. Boca Juniors vs River Plate

While Real and Barca duel with each other in El Clasico, in Argentina, a whole different beast endures. El Superclasico, the name given to the turbulent fixture between the two Buenos Aires clubs, is played in a febrile atmosphere of extreme noise, strident bravado, resentfulness and not infrequent violence.

In an Observer list of Sporting fixtures to visit, El Superclasico is listed number one, stating: “Derby day in Buenos Aires makes the Old Firm game look like a primary school kick-about”. The ferocious game stems from a long history of rivalry. Both sets of supporters have great differences in social and political issues, as well as geographical conflicts.

Boca are based in humble surroundings, next to the dockyard of the city, and although River had similar beginnings, they moved to the more affluent and prestigious Nunez. This move earned them the nickname ‘Los ‘Millonarios’, and thus the class divide between the poorer Boca and the richer and flashier River was born. The rivalry has rarely waned in nearly 100 years of competitive fixtures, and the records of the two clubs are near inseparable.

River Plate lead with 36 domestic titles to Boca’s 30, while Boca leads the head-head record 86-78. Such competitiveness on the pitch leads to a host of incidents every game, from hostile chants and banners, rioting and violence between fans and players, physical abuse of the referee and stampedes, including one which killed 71 people in 1968.

Such an intense and fierce rivalry makes this game one of the must-sees in sport, and the uncontrollable rage between fans makes this such an exciting yet terrifying match-up.