Football, the beautiful game is without a doubt the most viewed sport in the world, and is quite popular amongst all generations of people. One of the best reasons for its enormous popularity is the interesting stories of the greatest football rivalries between various clubs and countries that come with this sport.
Biggest Club Rivalries in Football
Real Madrid Vs FC Barcelona
Real Madrid FC was established in 1902, while FC Barcelona was founded in 1899. Commonly called ‘El Clasico’ rivalry, Real Madrid and Barcelona have battled against with each other for about 270 times, with Real Madrid winning around 37% wins in compare to Barcelona’s 41%, and about 22% of the games finishing in a draw. This rivalry started from the 1902 when they met each other for the first time.
Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC
The football grounds have been dominated by this famous rivalry since 1894. These rival clubs have played with each for more than 190 times, with Manchester United winning 40% and Liverpool wining 33% of the games. About 27% of the matches have ended in draw. Manchester was founded in the year 1878, and Liverpool was established in the year 1892.
Arsenal Vs Chelsea
Most of the Arsenal fans dislike Chelsea, and the rivalry between these clubs is already a hundred years old. Since 1907 they have been competing with each other. They have played almost 200 games with each other, with Arsenal winning 38% and Chelsea winning 32% of the matches. Around 30% of the games have ended in draw. Arsenal was established in 1886, and Chelsea was found in the year 1905.
River Plate Vs Boca Juniors
These two football rivals have played around 210 games with each other, and the ferocious rivalry started since 1913, with River Plate winning around 33%, and Boca Juniors winning 37% of the matches. About 30% of the matches have ended in a draw. River Plate was established in the year 1901, while Boca Juniors was found in the year 1905.
Biggest Country Rivalries in Football
Argentina Vs Brazil
The rivalry between these neighboring countries is commonly known as the ‘Battle of the South Americans’. The first match between these two took place in the year 1914, and more than 100 matches have already been played against each other. Both the countries have won equal number of times, and about 25% of the matches have ended in a draw. In 1901, Argentina played its first international match, while Brazil played its first in 1914.
Portugal Vs Spain
Since 1921, Portugal and Spain have played against each other for around 140 times. Portugal has won about 17% of the matches, while Spain won around 50% of the matches. About 34% of the matches have ended in a draw. Portugal played its first international match in the year 1921, whereas the first international match of Spain was in the year 1920.
Mexico Vs USA
Mexico and USA have been playing against each other since 1934. In about 70 matches, Mexico has won 21% of the matches and USA has won 52% of the matches. Mexico debuted in the international arena in 1923, while the USA played its first international match in 1885.
Germany Vs England
The two countries met with each other in the football ground in the year 1899. Until now, they have played against each other more than 30 times, with both nations winning equal number of times, and 17% of the matches have ended in a draw. Germany played its first international match in 1908, while England played its first in the year 1870.
Japan Vs South Korea
Since 1954 these Asian nations have played against other for more than 800 times. Japan has won 18% of the matches, while South Korea has won about 52% of the games. About 30% of the matches have ended in a draw. First international match of Japan was in the year 1936, whereas South Korea played its first international match in the year 1948.