Fansided

30 best soccer rivalries in the world

By Andrew Dowdeswell

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Shirts bearing the names of Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF are seen on display at a merchandise stall prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Shirts bearing the names of Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF are seen on display at a merchandise stall prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 3 : James Keatings (R) of Hearts is tackled by Scott Robertson of Hibernian during the Scottish Championship match between Heart of Midlothian F.C. and Hibernian F.C. at Tynecastle Stadium on January 3, 2015 in Edinburgh Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 3 : James Keatings (R) of Hearts is tackled by Scott Robertson of Hibernian during the Scottish Championship match between Heart of Midlothian F.C. and Hibernian F.C. at Tynecastle Stadium on January 3, 2015 in Edinburgh Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /

24. Hearts vs Hibernian

The Edinburgh Derby is one of the most anticipated matches in Scottish soccer every season. It is one of the oldest rivalries in world soccer and has often been played at the higher end of Scottish soccer.

Hearts and Hibs were both formed in the early 1870s, just as soccer was beginning to establish itself as a national sport in the United Kingdom. The first match up between the two Edinburgh clubs was on Christmas Day, 1875. Hearts were victorious 1-0, however, Hibs got the better of their rivals during the earlier stages of the pairing, winning the 1878 Scottish Cup, beating their Edinburgh neighbors in the final.

Both clubs have had successes and failures throughout the years. Hearts and Hibs have yo-yoed between the 1st and 2nd division throughout the 1900s, but it is Hearts who have often held the bragging rights. Through the ’80s and ’90s, Hearts reeled off a 22-game unbeaten streak in the Edinburgh Derby, and such was their dominance that Hearts owner Wallace Mercer actually attempted to merge the two clubs. In what is one of the most angry fan responses to an owners move, supporters of both sides retaliated to Mercer’s plan, and ultimately any merger attempt was burnt to the ground.

Both sets of fans do not harbor any sympathy for the enemy, and one of the longest standing rivalries is now stronger than ever with both clubs being relegated to the 2nd division.

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