After losing the first leg of their two-legged relegation playoff 2-0, River Plate needed a convincing victory on Sunday, but they would fall well short of that goal, managing only a draw.  That resulted in their relegation to Argentina’s second division, causing fans to hurl objects at the players.  Police responded by turning the fire hoses on the rowdy fans.

The violence then spilled outside Monumental Stadium, as the Argentine people did their best to show Vancouver citizens how real hooligans riot.  Fearing the worst, nearly 2,200 police were deployed to control what was expected to be a rowdy crowd, but despite their greatest efforts, the River Plate fans were still able to light bins and vehicles on fire and loot stores in downtown Buenos Aires.  Police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas at those causing the chaos.  In the end at least 55 people, including 35 officers, were injured in the madness.

Here is a look at what transpired following the game.

Hat Tip – [ESPN]

Unfortunately, there were no boobs in sight for a match between the Boca Juniors and River Plate U-14 teams, but there was plenty of testosterone and flying fists to go around.

In what is a heated rivalry, the youth teams of the two popular Argentine soccer league clubs brought the same intensity to the field that you would expect from their older mentors.

It all started when River Plate was awarded a penalty kick late in the game.  That seemed to infuriate the Boca coach (he did however refrain from fighting any players), and soon enough such anger became evident within the players on the field.  What began with some shoving ended in punches and kicks from all angles as the refs and members of the coaching staffs attempted to break things up.

Cooler heads would eventually prevail and the penalty kick was taken.

Needless to say, it was a GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

Here is the incident.

Hat Tip Video – [The Spoiler]