Nacional vs Penarol: 6 Classic Encounters Between Uruguay's Montevideo Enemies

One of the world's best derbies you probably haven't heard of. That might be a tad unfair, but put it this way; you can be forgiven for not knowing who the two biggest sides in Uruguay are.

That's all about to change. While you may not know much about this particular clash, you definitely should, and the following list may go some way to giving you a historical recap of the duo's long and fierce rivalry.

Given that it's one of the oldest derby clashes in world football outside of UK shores, you won't be mistaken in thinking these two have faced off in some particularly spectacular matches.

Running through all 557 would take an age and a day, so instead, here are six of the very best to whet your Uruguayan football appetites.

1934 - Nacional 3-2 Penarol (Sort of)

I say sort of, because the initial result was slightly different. Both sides were facing off against each other in the final of the Copa Uruguaya, when all manner of madness took place. Firstly, one of the Penarol players over-hit a cross that rebounded back into play via a medical bag carried by a Nacional physio.

Play went on and Penarol scored seconds later, prompting the goal to be eventually disallowed, but the protests from Nacional players saw two of the side receive red cards. Valiantly they held on after that, but before the match could be finished, bad light prompted it to be stopped and the game was postponed for another date. Crazy.

When that date finally came around, Nacional triumphed with a 3-2 victory to secure the cup, in one of the most bizarre finals in Uruguayan football history.

1941 - Nacional 6-0 Penarol

A clash and a feud, if you like, that has been ongoing for 120 years has coughed up a vast array of different scorelines, but this particular one in 1941 remains the biggest winning margin of any of the clashes between the two.

Earlier in the day, Nacional's second team had beaten Penarol's second side 4-0, setting the tone for the events to come later. The home side will follow in the footsteps of their younger stars, but on this occasion, stepped it up a few notches.

A 6-0 hammering followed against their bitter rivals, prompting the Nacional fans to dub this day in history as El Día del 10-0 (10-0 Day).

2005 - Nacional 3-1 Penarol

Earning bragging rights in whatever way you can is crucial to each set of supporters in a derby match. On this occasion it was Nacional who claimed that honour, having won the first ever derby between the two played overseas.

It came in 2005 in the Copa Teresa Herrera, held in Spain. The competition, a pre-season event hosted by Deportivo La Coruña, has seen the pair take part regularly, but their first meeting outside of home soil was one Nacional would cherish forever.

Needless to say, it was hardly a 'friendly'.

2014 - Penarol 5-0 Nacional

They may not have won the league that year, but Penarol were able to at least take some solace from the fact they handed Nacional an almighty hammering that season.

Dishing out five goals and conceding none in the process meant it became their joint-biggest victory over their hated enemies across their long history - equaling their result in 1953.

Sure, they didn't win any silverware as result of it, but inflicting that level of humiliation on your rivals is always sweet. A Jonathan Rodríguez brace, a solitary Damián Macaluso strike and another fine Luis Aguiar brace did the damage.

2018 - Nacional 1-3 Penarol

The first ever edition of the Supercopa Uruguaya took place two years ago, in a one-game competition that pitted 2017 Torneo Intermedio winners Nacional with 2017 Primera División champions Penarol.

Hosted at the 60,000-seater Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, everything was in place for a classic encounter. The roaring atmosphere in the stands clearly had a direct effect on the players, as FIdel Martinez opened the scoring for Penarol will less than a minute on the clock.

Former Atletico Madrid winger Cristian Rodriguez doubled their advantage from the penalty spot, before ex-Liverpool forward Maxi Rodriguez put Penarol in complete control on the stroke of half time. Tabare Viudez would pull one back in the second half for Nacional, but the inaugural Supercopa Uruguaya would be be the Manyas' to claim.

2019 - Nacional 1-0 Penarol

The Uruguayan top flight can be tough to understand, but essentially, there are three stages of the league season that determine an aggregate final table, which eventually leads to two sides playing in a championship playoff. Something like that.

As is commonplace, Nacional and Penarol are in and around the final stages, with last year's league season being no different. This clash would come in the 'semi-final' stage of the playoffs, but due to Nacional finishing the league as top of the pile, they knew victory over Penarol would secure them the title.

In the pouring Montevideo rain, a cagey and ill-tempered affair was as engrossing as it was feisty. Both sides had chances, but it took until the 80th minute for the killer blow to be struck. Matias Zunino would be the hero for Nacional with a close range finish, as the players looked fatigued in the difficult conditions.

There was still time for more drama, however, as two red cards were dished out to Penarol's Ignacio Lores and goalkeeper Kevin Dawson. Nacional would hold on for the final stretch, in turn retaining their league crown.