Chivas vs America comes every single time when you talk about the biggest matches in Mexican football.
These two are considered among the best football clubs in the Mexican football industry. And whenever they collide against each other, something big happens.
why do Chivas vs America matches hold so much importance?
It’s because of the epic history of these two teams. And that’s what we will know about today.
In this article, we will be going back to the past to celebrate this epic on-ground rivalry between these two fantastic clubs. So make sure you read the article till the end.
What makes this rivalry so intense?
The intensity of Chivas vs America is not trendy. It’s something that’s been in the game for almost centuries.
America and Guadalajara, also known as Chivas, are two of the most successful teams in Mexican football in terms of championships.
America has lifted the trophy 13 times while Chivas has done the same 12 times.
Apart from their tremendous performance, there is something else that sets the two teams apart. Their ideology.
America is considered the team of the wealthy and establishment because they are known for signing Mexican and foraging players.
On the other hand, Guadalajara is the only team in Mexico that doesn’t recruit foreign players to play in their team. They are known for their strict rules.
To ignite the flame, both teams hold amazing records against each other as well.
Out of the total 244 games that these teams have played against each other, Club America has been victorious 88 times while the others have won the El-Classico 77 times.
But not every time we get clear from these matches as 79 matches have been drawn between the two.
We will see whether Club America would increase its win leads or Club Guadalajara comes one step closer to a draw in terms of wins.
How did it all begin?
The rivalry between the two of the most popular football clubs in Mexico started long back in 1943 when the teams came head to head for the very first time.
Guadalajara came out as the winner of the game with a single goal being the differentiator.
The rivalry actually started from the second meetup of these teams the same year when Chivas again defeated Club America with a huge score of 7-2 in their favor.
Although this appeared as a moment of embarrassment for the members of America, it was almost two decades before this rivalry became the el-Classico of Mexico that is known today.
In the first few decades of the Mexican football league, Club America seemed to be struggling.
Halfway through the 957-58 tournament, the club had only six points placing them in last place in the overall standings.
To get things better, the club hired Fernando Marcos who was a retired player and referee.
Although Marcos raised the game level of the team to a great extent and that’s when the team entered the competition in reality.
On the other hand, Chivas was playing tactical football and were getting amazing results with that.
I wouldn’t be wrong if I say that the late 1950s and through the mid-60s was the era of Chivas.
During this period, the club won 7 titles, including their record six consecutive titles.
The comeback of Club America and the evolution of Mexican football
The 1980s was one of the most important decades in the history of football, especially Mexican football.
The game evolved drastically during this time and the competition was more distributed throughout the football clubs taking part in the Mexico Primera Division.
But the decade not only stands for the evolution of football.
It was also the decade of one of the most amazing comebacks in the history of the sport.
After the golden Chivas era was over, Club America made an unforgettable comeback in the 1980s.
During the decade, the club won five league titles in the course of five years.
This is still a record in present-era Mexican football.
America also took its revenge against Chivas during that time by defeating them in the finals of 1983-84.
In between the seasons of 83 to 2000, America showed pure dominance over their heat rivals by conceding only 6 losses out of the 43 matches played.
Moments to remember
The rivalry between Chivas and America has been one of the most memorable rivalries we have ever witnessed in football.
Between these two teams, the battle was not only just to be victorious but to show dominance and prove who is the best.
There are several incidents that prove the aforementioned statements true. A couple of them are mentioned below.
- The Riot of 83
The riot of 83, also known as “La Bronca del 83” is one of those unforgettable incidents that portray the intensity of the rivalry between the two Mexican teams.
It is named after the incident during the second leg of the semi-finals of the 83-83 season when the players of both two teams got involved in a brawl. This resulted in Chivas defeating America and stepping onto the finals against Puebla.
- The game of Clausura
The game of Clausura was undoubtedly one of the most memorable matches played between Chivas and America. The game took place on 13 March 2005, in the Estadio Azteca.
Right from the start, it was a game to remember as the audience got to witness the first goal in the very first 15 minutes of the match from America. The team couldn’t hold up its lead as the opponents equalized it in the 38th minute.
Just 5 minutes later, Hector Salamanca scored one of the best goals of his career, making the score 2-1. Chivas again equalized the game in the 58th minute with the goal of Fransisco Palencia.
But again, America got the lead in the 78th minute when Pavel Pardo exclaimed “look at me Hector” and put the ball into the nets. Everyone thought the game was finished until Palencia scored his 101st goal to equalize the match just before 3 minutes of the ending time.
Although the game ended in a draw, it upgraded the quality of football people witnessed from these two teams.
Conclusion
Both the teams have dominated Mexican football in their prime time and have shown us some great quality football.
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