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Copa Libertadores Superclásico: The ugly side of soccer.

  • Nakul Joshi
  • Nov 29, 2018
  • 3 min read

The Superclásico is one of the most popular and thrilling soccer matches in Argentine soccer. Similar to the illustrious El Clasico, the Superclásico is a derby between Boca Junior and River Plate, two rival teams from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. These games have been going on since 1913 and have entertained the masses of soccer enthusiasts, especially in Argentina. As luck would have it, this sensational game took the form as the finals for one of the most prestigious football competitions in South america, the Copa Libertadores.

In the past, Boca Junior has won the majority of Superclásicos but during the first leg of the finals, which took place on November 11, the tough competition resulted as a tie and River Plate did not fail to rise up to the occasion. River Plate netted a goal, just a minute after Boca Juniors scored the opening goal. Boca Juniors managed to rack up another goal before the first half ended, but Izquierdoz of Boca Junior scored an own goal for the game to end a 2-2 draw.

This was it, the final that would end all finals but no one would anticipate that this competition would reveal to the world, the ugly side of soccer. On November 24, as the players on Boca Junior left their hotel to head to the stadium on a bus, they were assaulted by projectiles thrown by River Plate fans. Many players were injured and the bus driver was soon caught in the violence. At one point he passed out and the vice-president of Boca Juniors took control of the wheel. As officials got involved in the matter, the fans used pepper spray to guard themselves and harm the police and some Boca players. The whole incident turned into a tragedy and the game was delayed to a further point of time.

Previously, many videos of fans singing, waving flags, celebrating and chanting the names of their teams were taken. This only increased the intensity of the competition and the two teams’ rivalry. Before heading off to the stadium where the second leg would be held, they were given a massive sendoff by their fans. This final would demonstrate how the sport of soccer connects people. It would display the passion of fans and the excitement making people watching through the tv nervous. In backgrounds like these would it be established that football is a game of the people. Unfortunately, the energy within the crowd was demolished as River Plate fans attacked the Boca Junior bus only four hours before the game would start.

There were many speculations about what would happen with the River-Boca decider. Some argued that River Plate would be disqualified while some expressed that the show must go on. It is probable that the finals will take place outside of Argentina and away from the rowdy chaos of the fans. Some candidates for possible locations for the finals are Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, Miami, and the United Arab Emirates due to their versatility with their stadiums, distance from Argentina and future matches. There is also a chance that Real Madrid may host the second leg of the finals at their home stadium, Santiago Bernabéu. The South American confederation has also confirmed that River will be fined $400,000. The match to come will prove the dominant team and test their fiery resolve as well as providing entertainment for fans around the world with yet another intense game.


Prediction: Boca Juniors 2-1 River Plate

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