Mayra Madrigal
Liga MX has historical rivalries, just like every league in the world. There are the national and regional rivalries, which are the games that soccer fans look forward to every semester. However, not all of these rivalries have worldwide recognition, as they are not as old as others in South America, but they also manage to paralyze the country as they are lived with great intensity.
Historical rivalries in Liga MX
1.- Atlas vs Chivas
This is the longest-running derby in Mexican soccer and is called “Clásico Tapatío”, as both teams are from Guadalajara and that is the name given to the teams from that city. Everyone may think that these two teams are rivals because they share the same territory. However, Atlas represented the upper class, since it was founded in 1916 by young people who had the privilege of studying in Europe, where they got to know soccer. While Chivas represents the working class.
The first derby was played in 1916 shortly after the founding of Atlas and ended with a 0-0 score.
The biggest win in this derby was in favor of Chivas, winning by a score of 8-1. But the best memory of a match of this type belongs to Atlas, who won their first title in the 1951 season after defeating their fierce rivals 1-0 on the penultimate matchday.
They have met 280 times, drawing on 84 of those matches, 106 wins for Chivas and 90 for Atlas.
2.- América vs Chivas
América vs Chivas is probably the biggest rivalry of mexican soccer, and arguably the strongest teams in its history. America is considered a wealthy team that takes advantage of that and gets the best international signings, while Chivas is on the other side of the coin and has dedicated itself to working with national talent.
They are the most popular teams in Mexican soccer in terms of fans. América is the most succesful team in Mexican soccer, with 13 league titles since the professionalization of soccer in the country. Chivas is in second place, with 12 league titles.
There have been 243 editions of the “Clásico de Clásicos”, in which they have tied on 78 occasions, while América have won 88 and Chivas 77.
3.- Tigres vs Monterrey
In the last decade, the Monterrey teams have been at the top of the league, not only because of the economic situation that has allowed them to sign good players, but also because those players have performed well and won titles.
The rivalry between Tigres and Monterrey is a regional one, as they are from the same state. It started in the 1959-60 season, when both were in the Second Division and faced each other on the penultimate matchday for promotion. Rayados won 2-0 and did not face Tigres again for 14 years, when they meet once again in the First Division.
They have played 126 editions of the Clasico Regio, in which Tigres has 45 wins, while Monterrey registers 42. They have also tied on 38 occasions, and one of their matches was suspended without a score being recorded.
