A Century-Old Rivalry Ends in Stalemate: Újpest and Ferencváros Draw 0-0 in Historic Match
Budapest, Hungary – Sunday witnessed a surprising result in the hotly contested Újpest-Ferencváros derby, culminating in a 0-0 draw. While a scoreless match might seem unremarkable on its face, it held immense significance for both clubs, marking the end of Ferencváros’ dominant 17-game winning streak against their longstanding rivals.
The clash between these two Budapest giants carries a weight that transcends mere football. "Anyone who supported Hungarian football ‘yesterday’ can’t even understand what all the fuss is about the ‘derby,’" a commentator noted, highlighting the rivalry’s sheer depth. "I write to him that this couple has a richer tradition than the great Liverpool-Manchester City game on Sunday."
Indeed, the history of this matchup stretches back nearly a century. In the 1930s, Újpest emerged as a formidable force, challenging the established dominance of FTC. They secured their first league title in 1930 and added four more within a decade. In a display of sheer dominance, Újpest even inflicted a humiliating 11-1 defeat on Ferencváros in the 1933 cup final, dealing them a blow they would not soon forget.
The rivalry has been punctuated by moments of true brilliance and crushing defeats. The 5-0 demolition of Ferencváros at Újpest’s home ground in 1990 stands out as a particularly memorable occasion. The match marked the debut of Tibor Nyilasi as head coach for Újpest, while Péter Lipcsei and Sándor Szenes also made their playing debuts.
More recently, Újpest’s 6-0 demolition of Ferencvaros in 2010 underscored the unpredictable nature of their clashes.
But for the past six years, Ferencváros has dominated this rivalry. Their unwavering presence at the top of the league table, a span marked by 17 consecutive victories and a staggering 43-6 goal differential in their favor, had left many questioning whether Újpest could ever reclaim their former glory.
However, Sunday’s scoreless draw brought this relentless streak to an end. It was a symbolic result, a reminder that in the world of sports, nothing is certain, and old adversaries can always rise again.
As one joke among Ferencváros fans humorously alludes, "the little boy shouts into the kitchen that, father, on TV does is shows that Újpest has won the competition, yes the ‘father’ actually answers that, on the channel, when the child says that he is at the Film Museum." The joke reflects the one-sided nature of the rivalry in recent years, highlighting the rarity of Újpest victories.
The 0-0 draw may lack the immediate excitement of a high-scoring affair, but it signifies a potential shift in the balance of power. It’s a result that has reverberated throughout Hungarian football, leaving fans to wonder what the future holds for this historic rivalry.
