Global, South America

Match: River Plate 2v0 Boca Juniors
Date: Sunday 7th October 2007
Stadium: El Monumental (River), Buenos Aires
Competition: League
Attendence: 60,000

Often described worldwide as the most passionate football rivalry on the planet – meetings between Argentina’s super-clubs never fails to cook up an explosive ninety-minutes of hot-blooded action.

It’s an occasion that brings the whole of Argentina to a standstill and leaves the streets of Buenos Aires deserted, as supporters crowd themselves into every bar and restaurant screening the match live.

For the majority of football fans around the world this is just a routine fixture – for the locals, it’s life and death.

“The excitement grips the country for days and supporters convert towns and cities into a sea of blue and red”

The Observer once came up with a list of the 50 sporting events you must experience before you die and going to a Superclásico came in top spot. The magical passion on the terraces, blended with the flare and commitment on the pitch, makes this a derby that cannot be rivaled anywhere in the world.

The excitement grips the country for days, with newspapers and television channels serving up nothing but build-up coverage, whilst supporters convert towns and cities into a sea of blue and red.

El Superclásico always stages a thrilling spectacle with flags, banners and strips of confetti dressing the stands, whilst the deafening noise levels makes for a concert rather than a football match.

Dubbed “the rich vs. the poor” by the media - social class and money carries the burden for such a strong and unique hatred. Bosteros are considered to come from working-class backgrounds - in contrast to River, who hold the upper-class following and are subsequently nicknamed “Los Millionarios”. Incredibly, more than half the country’s population pledge their loyalty to one of the two.

The divide between the supporters dates back to when both clubs were located in the same neighbourhood of La Boca. Despite River later moving to the district of Nuñez in 1923, the rivalry has remained firmly intact up until this day.

Despite the passion and excitement, violence in Argentina is no stranger to the game and has in the past led to deaths and match abandonments. Organisations known as “barra bravas” are gangs of hardcore fans that have a powerful influence on club affairs.

The organisations - normally consisting of 200-300 members - are funded in return for doing the clubs’ ‘dirty work’ and whilst many claim that clubs aren’t doing enough to prevent violent clashes, even the police are taking a back seat.

The violence often spills out of control, to an extent where police are forced to intervene by firing plastic bullets and tear gas at rioting supporters.

River started the afternoon in a surprising 10th place and on the back of poor form. Despite their exploits in the Copa Sudamerica last month, Daniel Passarella’s men have been shipping goals as if they are going out of fashion. Their latest setback came in midweek as they crashed to a 4-1 defeat away to Argentinos Juniors, casting fresh doubt over Passarella’s future.

Boca, meanwhile, are in second and trail leaders Independiente by two points. After a premature exit from the Copa Sudamerica, Boca recovered well from the disappointment to beat last season’s domestic champions San Lorenzo 2-0 at the La Bombonera last Wednesday.

On a glorious day in Buenos Aires, proceedings were off and running with both teams kitted out in their traditional colours.

As is often the case in these full-blooded encounters, both sides started with a fast and furious approach and in no mood to give anything away.

Every Boca touch was greeted with a heavy chorus of boos and whilst the Boquense outfit tried to add urgency to their play early on, they failed to unlock a River back-four that had conceded 13 goals in their previous four matches.

“Ortega was substituted and given a rapturous standing ovation from all corners of the ground. An inspired performance from the man once labelled the “New Maradona”.”

After a dominant spell of pressure from Boca, they were soon to find themselves trailing, on 23. A wonderfully crafted move was completed when Colombian striker Radamel Falcau reacted quickest in the box and powerfully slammed home past Mauricio Caranta. 1-0 River. El Monumental erupted.

More chances for River followed with Boca still seething from the setback. First, Fernando Belluschi tried his luck with a drive before former international Ariel Ortega stung the palms of Caranta from a free-kick.

However, Ortega did inflict more misery upon the visitors just past the half hour, when he converted a re-taken penalty after Gabriel Paletta had brought down Diego Buonanotte. After missing the first attempt, he kept his nerve to send Caranta the wrong way the second time around. 2-0 Los Millionarios. River fans turned the place into a party.

Boca’s woes were compounded further on the stroke of half-time, when young midfielder Ever Banega was dismissed for a late challenge as frustration started to take its toll.

Despite offering more of a threat after the break, Boca lacked ideas in the final third and were restricted to long-range efforts. Even the on-form Martin Palermo was unable to muster the goal needed to revive the game.

River, meanwhile, continued to look for a killer goal with the influential Falcau at the centre of every attack.

With River fans starting to smell victory and a welcome three points, Ortega was substituted and given a rapturous standing ovation from all corners of the ground. An inspired performance from the man once labelled the “New Maradona”.

Boca continued to press in the closing stages with Palermo working hard up front but despite a spirited second half, the day belonged to River and their magnificent supporters.

River: Carizzo; Ferrari, Sánchez, Tuzzio; Ahumada, Belluschi, Buonanotte, Fernández, Ponzio; Falcao, Ortega

Boca: Caranta; Ibarra, Maidana, Rodríguez, Paletta; Banega, Cardozo, Gracián, Ledesma; Palacio, Palermo

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