[1][2] Sports media outlets have listed this rivalry, which is also known in Spanish as the Clásico del Pacífico (Pacific Derby), among the most competitive in association football.

[7] According to sports historian Richard Henshaw, Chile and Peru traditionally compete with each other over the rank of fourth-best national team in South America (after Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, which are located in the continent's Atlantic side).

[9] According to Salinas, the dictatorships of Augusto Pinochet in Chile and Francisco Morales Bermúdez in Peru promoted a nationalist animosity to these games to divert public attention.

[9] Moreover, the rise of football hooliganism, from the Argentine barra brava sports culture that influenced Chile and Peru in the 1980s, further intensified the rivalry.

Since 1953, both countries have sporadically contested the friendly Copa del Pacífico (Pacific Cup), which is a trophy awarded to the side with the best record after a two-legged home and away match.

[citation needed] Nowadays, Chile v. Peru games generally tend to be very competitive and at times rough, often with players sent off.

"[21] The national football teams of Chile and Peru have a rivalry that is known in Spanish as the Clásico del Pacífico ("Pacific Derby").

[10] Since 1953, both countries have sporadically contested the friendly Copa del Pacífico ("Pacific Cup"), which is a trophy awarded to the side with the best record after a two-legged home and away match.

Peru and Chile first faced each other in the 1935 South American Championship, with Alberto Montellanos scoring the only goal of the match within 5 minutes resulting in a 1–0 win for the Peruvians.