10 Biggest Rivalries In South American Football
6. Club Atletico Independiente vs. Racing Club de Avellaneda (Avellaneda Derby)
Avellaneda Derby is a match played between two of the biggest clubs in Argentina, making it the second most important rivalry in the country. It is known to be a very aggressive rivalry and their stadiums are very close to each other. Their rivalry has a history of violence in it.
It started when Atletico, who were initially founded in Monserrat, Buenos Aires, moved across town to Avellaneda where Racing Club were based. Both of the teams went head-to-head without anyone being superior until the 1970’s when Independiente started dominating the derby and now has 19 more wins over the Racing club.
5. Colo-Colo vs. Universidad de Chile (Clásico del fútbol chileno)
This rivalry has divided Chileans into two groups for a long time. This rivalry began when these two clubs first met in 1938. To be more specific the rivalry began when one of Colo-colo players punched the opposition player, since then it has been one fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
Colo-colo is a more famous and well-supported club in Chile and has more wins over Universidad de Chile than they have over them. But it doesn’t mean that it makes this match any less of a competition, the match between them is always fierce.
“Of all the derbies I’ve played in my life, Colo Colo-Universidad de Chile is by far the most important.”, said Iván Zamorano who has featured in matches like the El Clasico, Milan derby and the El Clásico de Clásicos in Mexico.
4. Flamengo vs. Fluminense (The Fla-Flu Derby)
Fla-Flu derby is a very famous rivalry between two same city clubs Flamengo and Fluminense. Both of these clubs have divided the city of Rio De Janeiro into two parts. The matches between them are played in the Maracanã Stadium. The Fla-Flu derby is a very iconic derby in football, people from all over the world come to see this great game which possesses such vibrant culture and a very colorful atmosphere.
This rivalry started when recently formed Flamengo approached the top ten players from Fluminense to switch to their side. Fluminense when they first met Flamingo on the field took revenge by defeating them 3-2.