Iraq's clásico by the numbers: History of Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al Zawraa encounters

Hours before the kickoff of the seventh round clash in the Iraqi Super Cup at Karbala International Stadium, the numbers and history speak of one of the most prestigious and fierce rivalries in Iraqi football: encounters between Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al Zawraa.

The two giants of Baghdad football have met in 90 previous matches across various domestic competitions, including the league, cup, and Iraqi Super Cup, and the encounters have been highly competitive, with the difference between them being very minimal.

According to the historical record of encounters, Al Zawraa have triumphed on 32 occasions, while draws have occurred in 29 matches, and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya have managed to secure victory in 29 games. This means that the advantage leans towards Al Zawraa by just three wins, reflecting the technical and psychological closeness between the two teams over the decades.

Al Zawraa have a slight edge in terms of goals scored, with 114 goals compared to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya's 106. Only 8 goals separate the two teams after 90 encounters, a figure that confirms that most matches have been closely contested, often ending with a one-goal margin or in a draw.

The encounters between the two teams bear unforgettable marks in the history of Iraqi football, particularly the final of the Iraqi Super Cup in 2017 at Karbala Stadium, when Al Zawraa equalized in stoppage time with a header from Ali Hussein Rahima, before clinching the title on penalties 3-0 thanks to the brilliance of Jalal Hassan.

Al Zawraa enters tomorrow's match with a slight historical advantage and aims to secure their 33rd win. Meanwhile, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya hopes to reduce the gap to just two victories and return to winning ways in the clásico after their first win of the season against Karbala, 3-2.

With such a close match-up in the numbers, tomorrow's result remains open to all possibilities. History tells us that the clásico does not adhere to logic, and that the small details are what determine who will add a new number to the record of 90 encounters.