The birthplace of the River Plate – Boca Juniors rivalry is Buenos Aires. Both teams were born there, but River moved to the higher class area of Nunez in the 1920s. This instilled an economic and social distinction between the two teams which by that stage were quite similar. Boca is the team of the working class while River Plate has the perception of being the team for the upper classes.

The Boca Juniors – River Plate rivalry began when the teams first met in 1908 – Boca won that day 2-1. Much of the color for the River Plate – Boca Juniors rivalry stems from the fans. On game day, the stadiums are covered in streamers and ribbons of the two team’s colors. From hours before kick-off till hours after full-time, the supporters are yelling and dancing although they tend not to be as enthusiastic if their side loses.

Many players have played for both clubs which adds another element to the Boca Juniors – River Plate rivalry. Players such as Gabriel Batiistuta, Julio Olarticoechea, Nelson Vivas and Abel Balbo. Cataldo Spitale was the first to make the transititon. He signed for River in 1933. As Oscar Ruggeri said, "It's not easy I can tell you. One side looks on you as a traitor and the other doesn't really trust you. You need time to adapt and a lot of character to win people over." He went the other way of Spitale in 1985.

Part of the reason that the Boca Juniors – River Plate rivalry is just so massive is due to the fact that the sides are pretty evenly matched on the field. Many football rivalries around the world involve a massive underdog taking on a giant but here the two are on the same level. Between them, the two have 70% of the football fans in Argentina.

The River Plate – Boca Juniors rivalry has also been fueled by the fantastic games the two have played against each other over the years. In 1997, River came back from 3-0 at home to draw 3-3. In 1972, River came back from a 4-2 deficit to win 5-4 in a match regarded at the greatest Superclásico of all time. Boca have also had their moments. Carlos Cambon scored four goals on debut to have Boca a 5-2 win and in 1982 they won 5-1 away from home in the highest scoring away win in the Superclasico.

River Plate have won the league a record 33 times. They have won the Copa Libertadores twice, the Supercopa once and the FIFA Club World Cup once.
Boca have won the league 23 times, the FIFA Club World Cup three times and the Copa Libertadores six times.

What also influences the River Plate – Boca Juniors rivalry and gives it such edge are the players. Between them the two teams have been associated with the greatest ever to have taken to the field. For Boca one has to begin with Diego Maradona. He had such a strong connection with the club and the fans, and identified strongly with the philosophy of it. On numerous times he expressed his displeasure with River. Other famous Boca players include Walter Samuel, Carlo Tapia, Juan Roman Riquelme, Carlos Tevez and Hugo Ibarra.

For River you have the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Mario Kempes, Sergio Goycochea, Ariel Ortega, Hernan Crespo, Marcelo Salas and Javier Mascherano.

When you get to game day, much of the flavor for the River Plate – Boca Juniors rivalry comes from the two respective home grounds. River Plate have El Monumental, which is also considered to be the home ground of the Argentina national side. The ground opened in 1938 and has been renovated several times since, most notably for the 1978 World Cup. It hosted nine matches for the World Cup including the final. It had a capacity of 76,000 when all the stands were standing room but since seats have been added this has come down to 66,000.

Boca's home ground is known as La Bombonera which literally means the Chocolate Box. It received this nickname due to the ground having a flat stand on one side and three steep ones around the rest. When the ground is filled to its 57, 395 capacity and the fans are in full cry, the stands are known to shake and sway.

It opened in 1940 and has undergone a series of renovations since. The ground is known for its iconic images. Murals by Perez Celis are dotted around the ground. These murals feature past players of the club as well as other artistic works. The black and white Coca-Cola ads that can be found inside the stadium are the only ones in the world which do not feature the red and white of Coke. Why is that? Because red and white are the colors of River Plate. Now you get some idea as to the extent of the Boca Juniors – River Plate rivalry.