Football
Rivalries: History Behind Iconic Matches
Football
is probably a sport played in every country, ranging from small communities to
big leagues in prominent venues. Many are fascinated with his competitive team
sports that don’t have exclusive rules for all genders playing the game.
Apart
its nondiscriminatory nature and the spectacular display of footballing skills
each game promises, many spectators are drawn to football because of the iconic
matches that feature unforgettable rivalries. Let’s explore some of the
top-rated games followed by millions of football fans around the globe.
Chicago
Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Chicago
Bears, based in Chicago, and Green Bay Packers, based in Wisconsin, were two of
the most followed clubs in the National Football League (NFL). The two
prominent American football teams first met on November 27, 1921. Chicago Bears
scored 20, defeating Packers with 0 points on the scoreboard.
For
the record, these clubs have faced each other in 206 games, the most number of
matches for any existing rivalry in the league. The Packers have the longest
winning streak, with ten wins from 1994 to 1998.
Chicago
Bears and Green Bay Packers will play in the upcoming 2023 NFL regular season. Game
schedules are now available. Check them out so you can confidently bet on your NFL team
in the upcoming season.
Celtic vs. Rangers
The
Celtic Football Club and the Rangers Football Club are both Scottish football
teams based in Glasgow. The clubs first met on May 28, 1888, for a friendly
match. Celtic won the game with a score of 5-2. Moreover, Celtic has won 53
Scottish League Championships and 21 Scottish League Cups.
Meanwhile,
Rangers has five Scottish Lague Championships and 27 Scottish League Cups.
Overall, the two teams have encountered each other in 436 matches, with Rangers
winning 169 and Celtics winning 165. The remaining 102 matches resulted in to
draw.
The
rivalry between Celtic and Rangers was dubbed as “Old Firm.” Celtics and
Rangers were among the 11 founding teams of the Scottish Football League,
making both of them “like two old, firm friends”
thus, the term “Old Firm” originated.
One
major factor contributing to the growing rivalry is the origin of the fans of
each club. Celtic fans were mostly Irish Scots, while Rangers’ fans were native
Scots.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
FC
Barcelona, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, has found its greatest rival
in Real Madrid, a professional football club based in Madrid. The two clubs
initially faced each other during the 1902 Copa de la Coronación on May 13,
1902. The total number of matches that featured Barcelona and Real Madrid was
295, with 254 official matches and 41 exhibition matches.
The
largest margin between the two happened in the 1943 Copa del Rey, with Real
Madrid scoring 11 against the 1 point earned by FC Barcelona. Moreover, Real
Madrid holds the longest win streak in the rivalry's history, with seven
consecutive wins from 1962 to 1965.
Meanwhile,
FC Barcelona won five consecutive matches between 2008 to 2010. The most
notable name in this sports rivalry was Leonel Messi, FB Barcelona’s team
player, and top scorer in the matches he’s played in.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City
Manchester
City, an English Football League in Manchester, has a long history of rivalry
with Manchester United, a professional football team from Old Trafford, Greater
Manchester. The historic rival involving the two legendary clubs was dubbed the
“Manchester Derby.” They had their first match on
November 12, 1881, with Machester United winning the game 3-0.
Their total number of meetings was 189, with Manchester winning
78 matches. In the 189 matches, Ryan Giggs of Machester City made the most player
appearances, playing in 36 matches. The latest match with the largest margin
happened in 2011, favoring Manchester City 6-1.
Meanwhile, Manchester United has the longest winning streak,
winning eight matches between 1993 to 2000.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
Football Club-Tottenham Hotspur Football Club rivalry was the most popular
sports rivalry in North London. Thus, it was dubbed the “North London Derby.”
The two clubs first met during the Football League First Division on December
4, 1909.
During
their initial match, Arsenal won against Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 1-0. The
total number of matches that the two have played in was 193. Eighty-one of
which was won by Arsenal, while Tottenham won 61 matches. The remaining 51
games were drawn.
The
top scorer in the rivalry’s history was Harry Kane of Tottenham with 14 goals.
Meanwhile, the player with the most appearances was David O'Leary of Arsenal,
with 35 games featuring him. The largest margin of victory in this sports feud
was the Football League First Division on March 5, 1935, favoring Arsenal 6-0.
Liverpool vs. Everton
Called
the “Merseyside Derby,” the football feud between Everton Football Club and
Liverpool Football Club was considered one of the most followed rivalries in
Liverpool, England.
The
two clubs first interacted during the 1894-1895 Football League on October 13,
1984. They met in 242 matches, 98 of which were won by Liverpool. The rivalry
was rooted in the fact that there’s less than a mile distance between the home
grounds of the two, the proximity making the “territory” issue even bigger.
Neville
Southall, Everton’s goalkeeper, was the player with the most appearances in the
matches involving the two clubs. The largest victory recorded in the rivalry’s
history was in favor of Liverpool, scoring 6-0.
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly,
football is a sport known by many. Different clubs and leagues are popular in
many countries. More than the excellent display of footballing skills, football
fans are drawn to leagues and matches because of the extended rivalries that
have endured through many generations.
Our
list has included a few of the most memorable football feuds there are. In
history, their matches have made the headlines and pleased many fans across
different countries.