The long-running rivalry between the Drill and the Garnet stretches back more than a century, but the current clash began to intensify in the 1980s.
Argentine football holds one of the oldest traditions in the world, yielding a rivalry that traces its roots to early 20th century origins. Yet there is an exception: the Clásico del Sur between Banfield and Lanús only earned that name in the 1980s.
Although their first meeting was in 1918, there was little animosity for many years. Both clubs kept their eyes on their own classics, with Los Andes typically standing as Banfield’s main rival and Talleres de Remedios de Escalada opposing Lanús. Even in the stands, supporters once sang together: “Banfield, Lanús, united in the South.”
That harmony faded as tensions grew. In 1982, Lanús earned promotion from the third tier to the second, while Banfield remained in the same realm, and the climate shifted. As both clubs navigated through different divisions and established themselves in the top flight, the Clásico del Sur emerged. In July 2023, a new edition took place on Sunday, July 16, at the Granate Stadium, finishing in a 2-2 draw with goals from Tomás Belmonte and Facundo Cambeses for Lanús, and Nicolás Sosa Sánchez and Emanuel Insúa for Banfield.
GENERAL HISTORY (OFFICIAL MATCHES)
From their first encounter in the 1918 Second Division through the 2-2 draw on the 25th date of the 2023 Professional League, Banfield and Lanús have faced each other 127 times, with Banfield holding a twelve-game edge in head-to-head results.
HISTORY IN THE FIRST DIVISION
The teams clashed in both the amateur and professional eras. Banfield joined the senior squad in 1940, and their first match in that period was recorded as a Lanús victory at one point. The most recent league meeting ended in a 2-2 draw at the Fort during the 2023 Professional League season.
HISTORY IN THE SECOND DIVISION
Beyond top-tier clashes, Lanús and Banfield have met frequently in Ascenso competition over the past seven decades. Their earliest official confrontation occurred in the second tier, and the rivalry continued with three more amateur clashes and 22 professional meetings as the divisions evolved from Primera B to B Nacional.
In this head-to-head tally, Lanús holds the single-match advantage. The latest fixture occurred on April 4, 1992, finishing 1-1 at Florencio Sola with goals by Mario Gómez and Gabriel Schurrer in the 1991/92 B Nacional season.
HISTORY IN THE LOCAL CUP
The two teams have little history outside the league, but Banfield has historically secured the wins in cup competitions, including the 1926 AAmF Cup, the 1944 British Competition Cup, the 2021 Professional Championship, the League Cup win, and the 2022 edition with decisive results across different formats.