The Superclasico is firmly in contention for the most emotionally-charged fixture in the global football calendar.
That sentiment was no more evident than in May 2023, when a staggering six red cards were dished out amid a full-scale brawl between Boca Juniors and River Plate.
GettyThe Superclasico in May 2023 was renowned for all the wrong reasons[/caption]In yet another tension-riddled affair, the contest exploded to life in second-half stoppage time after Miguel Borja scored what proved to be the latest of winners for River Plate.
The Colombian scored from the penalty spot as he sent former Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero the wrong way.
Knowing he scored the winner in the derby, Borja made sure to celebrate in style as he raced off to the corner and was instantly mobbed by his teammates.
But it was what Romero did next that triggered widespread chaos.
The 96-time Argentina international charged across the field towards River Plate midfielder Agustin Palavecino, who more than enjoyed Borja’s late winner.
A sideline official along with players from both sides attempted to hold Romero back in an effort to quell the tension.
But it failed to stop Romero as he shoved River Plate back-up goalkeeper Ezequiel Centurion to the turf.
Plenty of shirt-grabbing ensued as players, substitutes and officials all got involved in the scuffle.
All up, the mass brawl lasted a staggering 15 minutes.
Not that any of the River fans inside the Estadio Monumental cared, as they bounced along following Borja’s late winner.
Palavecino overdid his celebration of River’s winner…Getty And it sent sparked Romero’s fury as an all-in brawl eruptedAFPSo chaotic were the post-match scenes, local police were required to venture onto the field to stop the skirmish.
Once tensions had been largely quelled, the full-time whistle was blown.
But the chaos did not stop there, as the referee handed six players their marching orders.
Palavecino, Centurion and Elias Gomez were all sent off for River while Miguel Merentiel, Ignacio Fernandez and Nicolas Valentini saw red for Boca.
There was also a red card reserved for Boca manager Jorge Almiron.
As a result of the sending off, Almiron was barred from conducting the post-match duties.
GettyOfficials and teammates struggled to seperate Romero in the chaos[/caption]So, who better to step up and speak to the media than the man who ignited the brawl but escaped a red card?
In his post-match press conference, Romero had Palavecino in his crosshairs and revealed what the River midfielder did to trigger the brawl.
“I told the boys from River to their faces, they, with the previous coach, managed to get all of football to respect them,” Romero said.
“Not only because they won games or won titles, but because of their behaviour. Now they disrespected us.
“This boy [Agustin Palavecino] ignored that, instead of going to celebrate the goal with his teammates and Borja at the corner, he yelled the goal in the face of my defenders.
“First I thought he was shouting with his people, but no, he was looking at us, that’s what generated our reaction.”
ESPN VivoRomero held nothing back in a fiery press conference[/caption]Unfortunately it is unlikely the bitter Argentinian rivals will meet in the knockout stage at the Club World Cup.
Boca sit third in Group C on 1 point, three points behind second-placed Benfica.
However, the Portuguese side boast a goal difference of +6, while Boca are on -1 with one game remaining.
As for River, they are top of Group E on four points alongside Inter Milan, with the former ahead by one goal on goal difference.
Boca round out their Group C proceedings against Kiwi side Auckland City on Tuesday evening while River face Inter on Thursday.
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