Few regions in world football live and breathe rivalry quite like South America. Here, a derby is rarely just about football – it is identity, history, pride and, in extreme cases, survival.
The game is not just followed, it is lived – colours are inherited, rivalries are passed down, and for 90 minutes, everything else fades into the background.
From the globally recognised clashes between Boca Juniors and River Plate, or Argentina and Brazil, to city rivalries that divide communities street by street, these fixtures carry a level of intensity unmatched anywhere else in the game.
Featuring some of the most intense, historic and fiercely contested rivalries in world football, FootballGroundGuide takes a closer look at the biggest derbies across South America, where every match is more than a game.
15. Clasico Universitario – Universidad de Chile vs Universidad Catolica
One of Chile’s most traditional rivalries, the Clasico Universitario sees Universidad de Chile face Universidad Catolica in Santiago.
Recognised by FIFA as the country’s most historic derby, its roots date back to the early 20th century, when both teams were formed by students from prestigious universities.
Since then, the fixture has grown into one of Chile’s biggest football occasions. Despite trailing overall, Catolica still hold the record for the biggest win in the derby – a dominant 5-0 victory in 1954.
Total: 247 Universidad de Chile wins: 97 Draws: 74 Universidad Catolica wins: 76
14. Clasico del Astillero – Barcelona SC vs Emelec
While Quito is Ecuador’s capital, Guayaquil is widely considered the country’s footballing hub.
It is here that Barcelona SC and Emelec contest the Clasico del Astillero – one of the most significant fixtures in Ecuadorian football.
Both clubs rank among the nation’s most successful, and their rivalry has even transcended sport. In 1973, the derby was featured in the film El Derecho de los Pobres, underlining its cultural importance.
13. Clasico Vallecaucano – America de Cali vs Deportivo Cali
In Colombia’s Valle del Cauca region, Deportivo Cali and America de Cali share one of the country’s oldest and most passionate rivalries.
First played in 1931, the derby has remained fiercely competitive for decades. Both clubs have enjoyed periods of dominance, which has kept the fixture balanced and unpredictable.
Beyond football, the derby also reflects the city’s journey – from a troubled past to a vibrant football culture that comes alive on matchdays.
Total: 345 America de Cali wins: 108 Draws: 111 Deportivo Cali wins: 126
12. Derby of the Millions – Flamengo vs Vasco da Gama
Few fixtures live up to their name quite like Flamengo versus Vasco da Gama. Known as the “Derby of the Millions,” this clash brings together two of Brazil’s most widely supported clubs.
The rivalry reached its peak in the 1980s, when Flamengo’s Zico and Vasco’s Roberto Dinamite symbolised two of the country’s strongest sides.
The fixture has also made history for its attendance figures, regularly attracting crowds of over 100,000 and boasting one of the highest average attendances in Brazilian football.
Even today, it remains one of Brazil’s most-watched and emotionally charged clashes.
Total: 430 Flamengo wins: 168 Draws: 123 Vasco da Gama wins: 139
11. Clasico Capitalino – Millonarios vs Santa Fe
Millonarios and Santa Fe dominate the football landscape in Bogota, and their rivalry dates back to Colombia’s “El Dorado” era in the 1940s, when the league attracted some of the best players in the world, including Alfredo Di Stefano.
The fixture is known for its physical intensity on the pitch, while also reflecting social divisions within the capital.
Millonarios are traditionally associated with Bogota’s more affluent north, while Santa Fe have strong roots in the south.
The Clasico Capitalino remains one of Colombia’s most emotionally charged encounters, blending sporting rivalry with cultural identity.
10. La Plata Derby – Estudiantes vs Gimnasia
The rivalry between Estudiantes and Gimnasia y Esgrima dates back to 1905, when a group of players broke away from Gimnasia to form Estudiantes after disagreements over the club’s sporting direction. That split laid the foundation for one of Argentina’s fiercest local rivalries.
Since then, the two clubs have battled for supremacy in La Plata, producing encounters filled with tension and local pride. Over the years, both sides have found different ways to assert dominance, ensuring that the rivalry remains as intense as ever.
Estudiantes fans still celebrate their 7-0 victory in 2006, while Gimnasia supporters pride themselves on their loyalty despite fewer titles. In La Plata, this fixture matters more than anything else – often even more than the country’s biggest clubs.
Total: 180 Gimnasia wins: 50 Draws: 64 Estudiantes wins: 66
9. Clasico Rioplatense – Argentina vs Uruguay
International football rarely feels like a club rivalry, but Argentina against Uruguay is an exception.
First played in 1902, it is one of the oldest international fixtures in the world and remains one of the fiercest. The matches are often tense, physical and filled with controversy, reflecting the proximity and shared football culture of both nations.
One recent example came during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, when tensions boiled over in a heated encounter at La Bombonera.
With multiple World Cups and Copa America titles between them, this rivalry is built on both history and success – Argentina have won three World Cups, while Uruguay have claimed two.
8. Clasico Paisa – Atletico Nacional vs Independiente Medellin
Atletico Nacional and Independiente Medellin share not just a city, but a stadium and a rivalry that rarely lacks intensity.
The Clasico Paisa is known for its passionate atmosphere, with both sets of fans creating some of the most vibrant scenes in Colombia.
Nacional have traditionally enjoyed more success, while Medellín’s support is defined by loyalty and resilience. It is a derby that captures both the pride and the tensions of the city.
Total: 344 Atletico Nacional wins: 137 Draws: 110 Independiente Medellin wins: 98
7. Paraguayan Superclasico – Olimpia vs Cerro Porteno
No fixture comes close to Olimpia against Cerro Porteno in Paraguay. Based in Asuncion, the two clubs dominate the country’s football landscape, and their meetings often decide the balance of power.
Olimpia, with an impressive 63 official titles that include three Copas Libertadores, are comfortably ahead of Cerro in the trophy race.
But the Ciclon can, and do, point to their head-to-head record, winning 112 official Primera Division compared to the Decano's 110. The rivalry is constant, with little separating the two in terms of passion and expectation.
Total: 455 Cerro Porteno wins: 154 Draws: 140 Olimpia wins: 162
6. Uruguayan Clasico – Penarol vs Nacional
In most of South America’s footballing nations, rivalries are spread among multiple giants: Boca and River, Flamengo and Corinthians, Penarol and Nacional.
Yet in Uruguay, the footballing hierarchy is starkly concentrated. Only two teams truly dominate – Penarol and Nacional, and when they meet, the intensity can be brutal.
Founded in 1891 as the Central Uruguay Railway Cricket Club, Penarol was initially a club for English railway workers in the Penarol district of Montevideo. Nacional emerged in 1899 as a club for native Uruguayans, at a time when most football teams were almost exclusively European.
From its very inception, this clash has carried social and cultural undertones, beyond just points on the table. On the pitch, the fixture is anything but predictable.
Total: 410 Penarol wins: 141 Draws: 137 Nacional wins: 132
5. Rosario Derby -Rosario Central vs Newell’s Old Boys
Rosario, in Argentina’s interior, is one of the few cities where local allegiances outweigh the pull of Buenos Aires giants. Here, the rivalry between Newell’s Old Boys and Rosario Central is as intense as any in Argentina. Fans are fiercely loyal, dividing the city, streets, and even families along club lines.
The derby’s lore is as colourful as its crowds. According to local legend, during the 1920s, a lepers’ hospital organised a charity match. Newell’s agreed to play, while Central refused. From that day, Central were derided as “Canallas” (Swine), and Newell’s earned the nickname “Leprosos” (Lepers) – monikers that remain today.
Total: 280 Rosario Central wins: 98 Draws: 103 Newell’s Old Boys wins: 77
4. Clasico Sudamericano – Argentina vs Brazil
Few international rivalries match the intensity of Argentina versus Brazil. Often described as the “essence of football rivalry” by FIFA, this fixture pairs two of the most successful footballing nations in history.
Brazil has five World Cups to Argentina’s three, while Argentina has won 16 Copa Americas against Brazil’s nine. Both nations have claimed honours in inter-confederation tournaments, such as the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Beyond trophies, these clashes have showcased some of football’s all-time greats: Pele, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho for Brazil; Alfredo Di Stefano, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi for Argentina.
Matches are marked by skill, intensity, and competitiveness, whether in official tournaments or friendlies. The rivalry transcends sport, representing national pride, identity, and a shared history that ignites fans across the continent.
Total: 237 Independiente wins: 89 Draws: 77 Racing Club wins: 71
3. Avellaneda Derby – Independiente vs Racing Club
Just a few miles from Buenos Aires, the Avellaneda Derby pits Racing Club against Independiente – two of Argentina’s “big five” clubs.
While Boca and River dominate the national conversation, this derby commands its own fierce following.
The fixture has seen everything from iconic moments to heated confrontations, reflecting how deeply it runs within the community.
2. Derbi Paulista – Corinthians vs Palmeiras
Sao Paulo is home to four historically massive clubs: Palmeiras, Corinthians, Sao Paulo, and Santos. Among them, the Derbi Paulista between Corinthians and Palmeiras brings the city, and often the nation, to a standstill.
Both clubs boast fanbases in the tens of millions, making the derby one of the most widely followed in world football.
Dating back to the early days of Brazilian football, the clash is a contest of history, pride, and identity – a modern spectacle rooted in over a century of competition.
Each encounter is a celebration of Sao Paulo’s footballing culture, a game that grips not only the city but millions across Brazil.
Total: 389 Corinthians wins: 133 Draws: 119 Palmeiras wins: 137
1. Superclasico – Boca Juniors vs River Plate
And finally, the Superclasico – the apex of South American football rivalries. Boca Juniors versus River Plate is not only Argentina’s biggest derby; it arguably stands as the greatest club fixture in the world.
Both clubs are giants of South America, commanding the support of roughly 80% of Argentina’s population.
On Superclasico days, Buenos Aires – and often the entire nation – comes to a halt. In places as remote as Amaicha in the Tucuman mountains, entire communities gather in public squares to watch the clash.
The derby has produced some of the sport’s most legendary players. River counts Alfredo Di Stefano, Enzo Francescoli, and Daniel Passarella among its alumni; Boca fans have cheered for Diego Maradona, Juan Roman Riquelme, and Carlos Tevez.
The scoreline never tells the full story – on this day, Argentina stops. The stadiums roar. And South America watches one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever known.
Total: 264 Boca Juniors wins: 94 Draws: 84 River Plate wins: 88