El Clasico Explodes: Five Epic Battles That Define Mexico's Most Heated Chivas vs. Club America Rivalry

No football rivalry in Mexico matches the intensity of "El Clásico Nacional"—the clash between Chivas and Club América, the nation's two most prominent clubs.

Chivas represent the red and white pride of Guadalajara, famously declaring themselves "the most Mexican team," referring to their longstanding policy of fielding only Mexican nationals.

On the other side stand Liga MX's controversial antagonists, Club América. Las Águilas hold the distinction of being Mexico's most triumphant club, adored by countless supporters yet despised by even more. Their bold motto "hate me more" finds validation in their record-breaking 16 Liga MX championships.

This rivalry commands nationwide attention, featuring matches characterized by fervor, intensity and utter pandemonium since the inaugural Clásico Nacional in 1943.

As Chivas and América gear up to pen another chapter of El Clásico Nacional, let's explore the historical moments that define this legendary matchup.

1. Club América 3–1 Chivas: The Final of the Century (1984)

🎥 | #TBT La Final del Siglo, América 3-1 Chivas, 1983-1984
Revive el Clásico Nacional más importante.

📺 | https://t.co/KbRP89tfdw#SiempreÁguilas 🦅 #ElMásGrande pic.twitter.com/YXhiaQDSNg

Chivas and América have faced off just once for the Liga MX championship, but that singular 1984 encounter produced a masterpiece now known as "La Final del Siglo." (The Final of the Century)

Following a 2–2 stalemate in Guadalajara, the Estadio Azteca hosted the memorable second leg of the Liga MX final. América appeared destined for home glory, but Las Águilas faced early adversity when Armando Manzo received a red card in the 27th minute.

América's keeper Miguél Zelada became the hero, denying a penalty kick and producing several crucial saves. Despite playing with ten men, they netted twice early in the second period through Eduardo Bacas and club legend Alfredo Tena.

Chivas responded through Fernando Quirarte's strike, but future Mexico manager Javier Aguirre sealed victory and the championship for América with an injury-time winner, delivering the most significant triumph in this rivalry's history.

This encounter remains arguably the most legendary match in Mexican football annals.

2. Chivas 3–0 Club América: The Historic Brawl (1983)

One year before the century's final, Chivas and América clashed in the 1982–83 semifinals. Las Águilas had established a Liga MX regular season points milestone that season and claimed the opening leg at Chivas 2–1. Then chaos erupted in the return fixture at Estadio Azteca.

Chivas invaded América's fortress and completely demolished Las Águilas in the second leg, decisively crushing their arch-nemesis 3–0 to advance to the championship match.

The encounter will be eternally remembered for a massive fight that erupted in the closing moments. After Chivas netted their third goal, Roberto Gómez Junco approached América's dugout and taunted their players, sparking the mayhem.

For more than 10 minutes, players from both squads exchanged blows on the Azteca pitch, while supporters from each side stormed the field to join the conflict. Officials had to halt the match and issued red cards to 10 América players and seven Chivas stars.

This stands as one of the most chaotic and violent incidents Mexican football has ever seen, and due to the suspensions, Chivas ultimately lost in the final against Puebla.

3. Club América 4–3 Chivas: The Birth of a Legend (1994)

On November 13, 1994, América and Chivas delivered the finest Clásico Nacional of the 1990s, a contest where each team's brightest stars created pure magic and where one of América's most beloved icons secured victory.

Featuring two African talents, Las Águilas took the lead at Chivas's Estadio Jalisco through Zambian international Kalusha. The iconic Ramón Ramírez then replied with two goals to give the home side the advantage.

Cameroonian star François Omam-Biyik leveled for América before Daniel Guzmán restored Chivas's lead. In the final moments, América's all-time top scorer Luis Roberto Alves "Zague" again brought the visitors even, but the exciting match had one last surprise.

With mere minutes remaining, a 21-year-old Cuauhtémoc Blanco netted a decisive header for América to overcome their fierce rivals. This marked the first magical moment for a player who would become almost godlike among América supporters, an icon embodying the controversial brilliance of Las Águilas.

4. Club América 3–3 Chivas: Aztec Stadium Spectacle (2005)

El Clásico Nacional struggled to produce truly unforgettable encounters at the dawn of the 21st century, but everything changed in Clausura 2005, when these bitter enemies created an absolute masterpiece at Estadio Azteca that revitalized the derby for a new era.

Las Águilas entered as favorites and took the lead on three separate occasions throughout the match, with strikes from Pavel Pardo, Óscar Rojas and Claudio López. However, Chivas responded each time, and Héctor Reynoso's goal combined with Francisco Palencia's double brought the match level heading into added time.

After equalizing three times from behind, Chivas nearly claimed victory if not for an incredible stop by 20-year-old Guillermo Ochoa. The future World Cup sensation made his Liga MX statement in this battle, preserving the tie for eventual Clausura 2005 winners América.

It represented a heavyweight clash between two of Liga MX's elite teams at that time, with both clubs later becoming the primary talent pipeline for Mexico's national squad in the 2006 World Cup.

5. Chivas 3–1 Club América: The Comeback Against All Odds (2023)

América have decisively controlled this rivalry over the last 15 years, but Chivas achieved the most unforgettable victory during that period, orchestrating an incredible comeback in the Clausura 2023 semifinal second leg.

América captured the away first leg 1–0 and were heavy favorites to reach the final. Chivas lacked the strongest squad, but their relentless spirit shone brightly in the return match at Estadio Azteca.

Due to Liga MX regulations, Chivas needed an outright aggregate victory to qualify, as a tie favored América based on their superior regular season finish. Goals from Diego Valdés and Rodolfo Cisneros leveled the second leg at halftime. Then pandemonium ensued.

Álvaro Fidalgo reduced América to ten players with his dismissal just after the hour, and Chivas sensed opportunity. Álan Mozo gave the visitors the lead in the 76th minute, one goal from completing the upset.

Then, Jesús Orozco finished the heroic turnaround two minutes before stoppage time, scoring as relentless rain poured down at the Azteca.

This remains Chivas's greatest recent triumph, but it also marked a pivotal moment in Liga MX history. Chivas would eventually lose in the final and haven't returned since. América, meanwhile, recovered from this setback and went on to capture three straight Liga MX titles in an unprecedented period of supremacy, gaining revenge against Chivas in the Clausura 2024 semifinal.

Nevertheless, Chivas's comeback in Clausura 2023 stands as the most memorable El Clásico Nacional of the 2020s.