Argentina centre compares rivalry with Ireland to El Clasico

Juan Martin Hernandez believes Argentina can dump Ireland out of the World Cup again in their "El Clasico-esque" encounter.

The Pumas are due to slug it out with the Boys In Green this Sunday in a quarterfinal clash and the Argentina centre believes the intensity of the fixture makes it essentially a derby clash. He even went as far to compare it to the famous rivalry between La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, as ESPN reports.

"These games are like El Clasico, they are derbies. I know Ireland has European teams but for us it has become a nice challenge, a great derby."

Hernandez insisted to ESPN that the Pumas can maintain their impressive track record against Ireland in the tournament by sending them crashing out for a third time. Argentina eliminated Ireland twice, in 1999 and 2007 respectively.