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The social fabric of many countries hang on the success of their international football team and as the generations pass, this is showing no sign of waning.
Beating a local or border rival always tastes sweeter than a normal win, no matter what the sport is and with modern day professional football having been around for over 150 years, international football has its fair share of rivalries.
Inevitably, fixtures housing rivals tend to have more of an emotional pull too and punters and football bookmakers are always quick to jump on any potential betting opportunities.
From World Cups, to European, African and American Championships, football international rivalries come to the fore each and every season and they are continuing to grow and manifest along with the global game.
Here is a look at some of the most intense and memorable international rivalries in football history:
England vs Scotland
Perhaps the archetypal footballing rivalry, England and Scotland famously don’t see eye to eye on many subjects and on the football field, it comes to the fore more than ever.
Remarkably, the first incarnation of this fixture took place back in 1872 and there has been no love lost between the two proud nations ever since.
Along with Wales and Northern Ireland, when British teams battle it out, there is always an intense derby feel to the game, but England and Scotland tends to carry a little more needle than most.
With the first match taking place in 1872 ending as a draw, these two sides have met on 116 occasions, with England edging the wins by 48 to 41 in competitive fixtures.
Scotland have not beaten England since a Euro 2000 qualifying win back in 1999, but their rivalry continues to rumble on, and it looks set to remain entrenched in British footballing culture for generations to come.
Brazil vs Argentina
When it comes to flair football and emotion on the pitch, the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina perhaps takes the biscuit.
These two South American giants have won the FIFA World Cup on 8 occasions between them, and they have set the footballing blueprint, which other nations and continents have followed.
From the precision of Pele to the enigmatic brilliance of Diego Maradona, these two sides could not be more different and when they meet, sparks tend to fly.
Much conjecture lies in the origin of the first matches between the two sides, but they are believed to first battled it out back in 1914.
In the corresponding century, these sides have met in countless Copa America finals and World Cup fixtures and when they do clash – the footballing world tends to come to an absolute standstill.
Spain vs Portugal
Border rivalries always tend to carry more significance and Spain and Portugal have emerged as two of the European footballing behemoths over the past few decades.
These sides also battled it out for the first time over a century ago, back in 1921 and none of the vitriol has been lost between these two proud nations ever since.
In comparison to some rivalries, these two sides haven’t met all that often, with just 41 competitive clashes between them in 104 years.
Spain hold the strong upper hand, with an 18 to 6 winning ratio, with 17 draws thrown in for good measure too but with both sides having won major titles in the past 10 years, they are both operating at the sharp end of the game – suggesting this rivalry is showing no sign of slowing.
Germany vs Netherlands
Again, the relatively close proximity always adds a dimension of extra spice to some rivalries, but Germany and Netherlands have rarely seen eye-to-eye on the football field.
Having become firm foes following the Second World War, Germany and Netherlands were able to channel their ire against one and other on the football pitch.
Both countries have enjoyed hugely successful eras, but it has always been Germany who have managed to pick up the spoils in major tournaments.
Germany have 7 major titles to their name – 4 FIFA World Cups and 3 European Championships, while the Netherlands have only Euro 1988 to write home about, but the rivalry has never shown any sign of decreasing in intensity.
In 48 meetings, there have been 18 draws, 18 wins for Germany and 12 for the Netherlands, a microcosm of how tight the margins are between these two famous footballing nations.
England vs Germany
No international football rivalry countdown would be complete without mentioning England and Germany – two nations who have a profound hatred for each other on the football field.
Stemming from both World Wars, where troops were rumoured to have actually played football against each other in combat situations, both sides have played their part in what has become one of the most iconic rivalries in any sport.
From England winning the World Cup in 1966, to Germany prevailing on penalties at Italia 90, Frank Lampard’s ‘ghost goal’ in 2014 and England finally winning at Wembley in 2021 – this fixture has been littered with incredible moments.
It dates back to 1930, in a period between the two World Wars, where relations had thawed and England hold a slender advantage in the head to head – having won the fixture on 14 occasions.
Germany continue to hold the major tournament honours though, with 7 bagged to England’s one and every time these to proud nations meet, the footballing world is on standby for the fireworks.
