El Rojo and Academia feature in one of the most traditional rivalries in Argentine football, having faced each other in 231 official matches across history.
The Avellaneda classic is undeniably one of the most significant clashes in Argentina and South America. With stadiums separated by a mere 300 meters and a venerable history written by both clubs in their own distinctive ways, the southern suburbs of Buenos Aires become a stage of anticipation whenever Racing Club and Independiente meet.
After a blue-and-white dominant 2022, which saw Academy win in both the league tournament and the Professional League Cup, 2023 began with intensity: on the 12th round of the LPF, the match finished 1-1 at the Libertadores de América, with goals from Martín Cauteruccio for Racing and Matías Rojas for Independiente. This result brought to a close a sequence of nine consecutive matches without a definitive winner, a streak that last time ended in a 0-0 draw in the 12th round of the 2016 season.
GOAL examines the broad arc of this rivalry and the head-to-head balance across the various competitions in which the Avellaneda giants have confronted one another throughout history.
GENERAL HISTORY (OFFICIAL MATCHES)
When all official matches from 1915 through the 2023 1-1 encounter in the Professional League are included, spanning amateur and professional eras, and counting both national and international cups, Independiente holds a notable edge over Racing in head-to-head results by a margin of 18 wins.
HISTORY IN THE LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIP
In First Division play, counting both the amateur and professional eras (from 1931 onward), Racing and Independiente have clashed 214 times, with Rojo holding a lead of 22 wins over their archrival. The most recent meeting finished 1-1 in the 2023 Professional League Tournament at the Libertadores de América.
This tally also includes the Pre-Libertadores Liguilla games played in 2015.
HISTORY IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS
It is remarkable that two clubs with such a rich cup pedigree faced each other in only one international tie. That occasion came in the 1992 Super Cup, when the Academy won the first leg in the Cylinder and later secured the aggregate victory. The match is remembered for Turco García’s iconic goal.
HISTORY IN NATIONAL CUPS
Similarly, Racing maintains a three-game advantage in national cup encounters. The most recent meeting took place in the interzonal stage of the 2022 Professional League Cup, finishing 2-1 in favor of Independiente.
FRIENDLY HISTORY
In addition to official meetings, another 67 matches contributed to the rivalry’s rich tapestry, with pride on the line at the neighborhood level. Racing’s overall edge in these friendlies is modest, just two wins.
The most recent friendly between the clubs occurred in the summer of 2018 in Mar del Plata, ending in a 2-2 draw before Independiente prevailed on penalties.