The 2017 edition of the Argentine Super Clásico will be surrounded by controversy, as Boca Juniors travel to the Monumental Stadium to visit River Plate with an unbeaten streak on their hands.
The timing couldn't be better for this game, as River Plate will try to make ammends with their fans for their disappointing elimination from the Copa Libertadores just days ago. It doesn't matter how these teams get to this game, because the rivalry is so intense that it separates boys from men, and even drives friends apart.
But why is the rivalry between River Plate and Boca Juniors so interesting? Here are some facts that will knock you off your feet.
1. A game to watch before you die
The clash between the two most popular Argentinean teams has been categorized as the most intense rivalry in football. Think that Spain's El Clásico is a heated rivalry? Well, not so much, according to World Soccer Magazine's editor, Gavin Hamilton, who had some flattering words for the Argentine rivalry. "You have to live and breathe this match live before you die, due to the chaos of color, noise and energy," claimed Hamilton.
"La 12", Boca's most radical fans, moments before a game.
.jpg?q=75&w=634)
2. Argentinean dominance in South America
Some of the brightest stars in football history have been able to play in these games. Names such as Diego Maradona, Hernán Crespo, Gabriel Batistuta and Enzo Francescoli have been some of the few footballers who have helped raise this game's pedigree through history, as well as their international accolades.
Boca is the Argentine team with the most Copa Libertadores titles, with six. On the other hand, Los Millonarios have won the continental trophy three times. If that wasn't enough, how about domestic titles? River have won the Argentine league 36 times, followed closely by Boca's 32 titles.
3. The "Pepper Spray" Incident
Can you imagine having your team kicked out of an international competition? Well, that happened to Boca in 2015. The Argentine Super Clásico was being played in the Copa Libertadores' Round of 16, and with both teams set to begin the second half, a crazed fan got a can of pepper spray inside River's tunnel, causing an allergic reaction in some of them. Ultimately, the game was suspended and River was awarded the win, with Boca being kicked out of the tournament and banned from playing four international games in their stadium -where the incident took place-.
4. 99 "traitors" in history
One could believe that, with this being quite a heated rivalry, no player would dare to join their opponents from across the river. Well, you'd be wrong! As of today, 99 players have worn both jerseys, with some of them enjoying impressive success. Gabriel Batistuta, Claudio Caniggia, Oscar Ruggeri, goalkeeper Hugo Gatti and Jorge Higuaín (Gonzalo Higuain's father) are some of the most recognizable names on that list.
"Batigol" played one season for River Plate, and one season later, he scored 19 goals for Boca Juniors, making the leap to European football thanks to that performance.
5. River's relegation, the wound that will never heal
Boca and River first locked horns in the Argentine Primera División as we know it back in 1931. No one expected that rivalry to end given their relevance in South American football, until River Plate's problems got them relegated in the 2010-11 season.
Los Millonarios suffered from a couple of bad seasons before having to play a promotion game against Belgrano. There, River Plate failed to win the second leg, with striker Mariano Pavone playing a key role in their relegation after missing a penalty kick. Since then, Boca Juniors' fans enjoy mocking their rivals by referring to the red-and-white side as "Riber", since the Segunda División Argentina is often called the "B" category.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
River Plate 1 - 2 Boca Juniors
November 5, 2017 4:05pmEstadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti (Capital Federal, Ciudad de Buenos Aires)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
