10. El Salvador v/s Honduras
In Central America, these two teams smash the mickey out of each other when they square off. Whatever be their reason for each other’s hatred, a football match turns into MMA, when these two teams play.
09. Turkey v/s Greece
Both teams are said to have one of the most passionate fans in the world. However, passionate often means rowdy and that effect comes onto the players as well. Players are rough with each other on the pitch while fans dish out the same treatment off of it.
08. Denmark v/s Sweden
A political connection between the two countries has always been the cause of this massive rivalry. With both teams looking for more than just a win, players tend to get over-ambitious on the pitch.
07. Spain v/s Portugal
During the colonial times, Spain and Portugal were constantly at each others’ throats, looking for a way to outshine the other. With the Portuguese golden generation moving on, Spain are into theirs, and the competition to show the most flair is constantly fought between these two talented teams.
06. Netherlands v/s Germany
They fight in all forms of sport, especially football. Both teams are giants in the game with the Germans always managing to out-do the Dutch in some manner. The battles are fierce as the fast and slick Dutchmen try to take out the efficient and effective Germans. It’s a tactical masterpiece with everything you need for entertainment. And who can forget the explosive game from Italia’90 when Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Voller got sent off for their confrontations on the pitch?
05. Netherlands v/s Argentina
The Argentines used underhanded tricks to unnerve the Dutch at the 1978 finals. Since then, there has been a massive debate about which team is better. While the Argentine squad has more finesse and flair, there is definitely more team-play in the Dutch. However, when these teams meet, its all about the passion and there is plenty of that going around.
04. Argentina v/s England
Since the Falkland Island wars, England and Argentina have been at loggerheads. The fans hate each other to the hilt while the players reciprocate their sentiments with fired up performances on the pitch. Sending offs have been common while off-the-ball incidents are elaborate and often quite painful.
03. Italy v/s France
It’s almost as if these two have determined that they will meet each other in all major competition and one has to triumph. Before 1982, Italy had dominated the contest with 17 wins, 3 losses and 6 draws. However, after that, until the 2006 World Cup Final, France beat Italy in all competitions. The teams met 10 times since a friendly in 1982, with 5 wins going to France and 2 to Italy. The matches aren’t that heated up but there is a lot of competition. However, anyone who says that there is no fierce fighting should just go back and look at Zidane’s head butt on Marco Materazzi!
02. Germany v/s England
They were the main rivals in the Second World War and have always had a level of enmity that has grown over the years. With Germany (as West Germany as well) dominating England over the recent years, it was England who had all the joy up until the 1966 World Cup Final. Since then, they have only managed 5 wins as Germany overtook them with 13. The matches have simmered down now but the feelings of war and battle always come to the fore when these sides meet. The past gets dragged in, without fail, as both teams look to make the most of their emotions to beat the other.
01. Brazil v/s Argentina
There cannot be a bigger rivalry in world football than when the Samba Boys take on the Albiceleste. The rivalry is not about the region where they belong, or any past conflicts – it is simply about their footballing capabilities and ability as one of the topmost South American teams in the world. Flair, passion, ability, skill, passing, defense, tactics and flamboyance – all is up for grabs when these two giants of world football take each other on. While Brazil have won 5 World Cups, Argentina have had the upper hand at the Copa Americas, with 14 wins compared to 8 for Brazil.
Both teams have played 90 times, since the first match in 1914, including friendlies, and Argentina have won 34, with 33 wins for Brazil and 23 draws. Fights have broken out, people have gotten hurt but more than that, this fantastic match is all about upstaging their opponents, for each team. A fantastic festival atmosphere greets the players no matter where they play around the world. Truly a spectacle to witness, once in a lifetime.