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Soviet Union national football team

(Redirected from USSR national football team)
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Soviet Union women's national football team.

The Soviet Union national football team (Russian: сбо́рная СССР по футбо́лу, romanized: sbórnaya SSSR po futbólu) was the national football team who represented the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1992.

Soviet Union
1924–1991
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Red Army
AssociationFootball Federation of the Soviet Union
Most capsOleg Blokhin (112)
Top scorerOleg Blokhin (42)
Home stadiumCentral Lenin Stadium
FIFA codeURS
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Soviet Union 3–0 Turkey 
(Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union; 16 November 1924)
Last international
 Cyprus 0–3 Soviet Union 
(Larnaca, Cyprus; 13 November 1991)
Biggest win
 Soviet Union 11–1 India 
(Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union; 16 September 1955)
 Finland 0–10 Soviet Union 
(Helsinki, Finland; 15 August 1957)
Biggest defeat
 England 5–0 Soviet Union 
(London, England; 22 October 1958)
World Cup
Appearances7 (first in 1958)
Best resultFourth place, 1966
European Championship
Appearances6 (first in 1960)
Best resultChampions, 1960
Medal record
Men's football
UEFA European Championship
Gold medal – first place 1960 France Team
Silver medal – second place 1964 Spain Team
Silver medal – second place 1972 Belgium Team
Silver medal – second place 1988 West Germany Team
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1956 Melbourne Team
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Team
Bronze medal – third place 1972 Munich Team
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Montreal Team
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Moscow Team

After the breakup of the Union the team was transformed into the CIS national football team. FIFA and UEFA considers the CIS national football team (and ultimately, the Russia national football team) as the Soviet successor team allocating its former records to them (except for the Olympic records which are not combined due to the IOC policy); nevertheless, a large percentage of the team's former players came from outside the Russian SFSR, mainly from the Ukrainian SSR, and following the breakup of the Soviet Union, some such as Andrei Kanchelskis from the former Ukrainian SSR, continued to play in the new Russia national football team.[1]

The Soviet Union failed to qualify for the World Cup only twice, in 1974 and 1978, and attended seven finals tournaments in total. Their best finish was fourth in 1966, when they lost to West Germany in the semifinals, 2–1. The Soviet Union qualified for five European Championships, winning the inaugural competition in 1960 when they beat Yugoslavia in the final, 2–1. They finished second three times (1964, 1972, 1988), and fourth once (1968), when, having drawn with Italy in the semi-final, they were sent to the third-place playoff match by the loss of a coin toss. The Soviet Union national team also participated in a number of Olympic tournaments earning the gold medal in 1956 and 1988. The Soviet team continued to field its national team players in Olympic tournaments despite the prohibition of FIFA in 1958 to field any national team players in Olympics (players in the Olympics were required to be amateurs at the time, the Soviets effectively bent the rules by listing their best players in the military).[2][3]

History

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Main article: Russian Empire national football team

First games

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Soviet Union team of 1927

Because of the circumstances, surrounding October Revolution and later the 1917–1922 Russian Civil War, Soviet Russia was internationally diplomatically isolated, making it unable to participate in the international competitions. In 1922, founded the Bolshevik state of the Soviet Union. After the civil war, the Soviet Union managed to establish international communication with politically similar factions in Europe and around the globe. The Soviet Union joined the Red Sport International proclaiming any sports events outside of the RSI to be "part of the bourgeoisie".[4]

The first international match played by a Soviet team (as the Russian SFSR) came in September 1922, when the Finnish Workers' Sports Federation football team toured Russia (Russia formed the Soviet Union at the end of December 1922, Treaty on the Creation of the USSR). The Soviet Russia XI scored a 4–1 victory over the Finns in Petrograd. This was also the first international contact for Soviet sports after the 1917 October Revolution. In May 1923, the Soviet team visited Finland and beat the Finnish squad 5–0.[5][6] The first match against national team was played in August 1923, nine months after the establishment of the Soviet Union, when a Russian SFSR team beat Sweden 2–1 in Stockholm.[7]

The first match as the actual Soviet Union football team took place a year later, a 3–0 win over Turkey. This and a return match in Ankara were the only officially recognised international matches played by the Soviet Union prior to the 1952 Summer Olympics, though several unofficial friendlies against Turkey took place in the 1930s. The 1952 Olympics was the first competitive tournament entered by the Soviet Union. In the preliminary round, Bulgaria were defeated 2–1, earning a first-round tie against Yugoslavia. Before the match, both Tito and Stalin sent telegrams to their national teams, which showed just how important it was for the two heads of state.[8] Yugoslavia led 5–1, but a Soviet comeback in the last 15 minutes resulted in a 5–5 draw. The match was replayed, Yugoslavia winning 3–1.[9] The defeat to the archrivals hit Soviet football hard, and after just three games played in the season, CSKA Moscow, who had made up most of the USSR squad, was forced to withdraw from the league and later disbanded. Furthermore, Boris Arkadiev, who coached both USSR and CSKA, was stripped of his Merited Master of Sports of the USSR title.[8]

Sweden trials and the triumph

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The Soviet Union, coached by Gavriil Khachalin, entered the World Cup for the first time at the 1958 tournament, following a qualification playoff against Poland.[10] Drawn in a group with Brazil, England, and Austria, they collected three points in total, one from England and two from Austria. The Soviet Union and England went to a playoff game, in which Anatoli Ilyin scored in the 67th minute to knock England out. The Soviet Union was then eliminated by the hosts of the tournament, Sweden, in the quarter-finals.[11]

The inaugural European Championships in 1960 marked the pinnacle of Soviet footballing achievement. Easily progressing to the quarter-finals, the team were scheduled to face Spain, but due to the tensions of the Cold War, Spain refused to travel to the Soviet Union, resulting in a walkover. In the semi-final, the Soviet team defeated Czechoslovakia 3–0 and reached the final, where they faced Yugoslavia.[12]

In the final, Yugoslavia scored first, but the Soviet Union, led by legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin, equalized in the 49th minute. After 90 minutes the score was 1–1, and Viktor Ponedelnik scored with seven minutes left in extra time to give the Soviets the inaugural European Championship.[13]

The end of Kachalin's dream-team

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Lev Yashin trying to stop the shot by Argentine striker José Sanfilippo, during the match played at Buenos Aires in 1961. The Soviet Union won 2–1

In the 1962 World Cup, the Soviet team was in Group 1 with Yugoslavia, Colombia, and Uruguay. The match between the Soviet Union and Colombia ended 4–4; Colombia scored a series of goals (68', 72', 86').[14] Star goalkeeper Lev Yashin was in poor form both against Colombia and Chile. His form was considered one of the main reasons why the Soviet Union team did not gain more success in the tournament.[15]

In 1964, the Soviet Union attempted to defend their European Championship title, defeating Italy in the last 16 (2–0, 1–1) and to reach the quarter-finals. After two matches against Sweden, the Soviet side won on aggregate (1–1, 3–1).[16] The Soviet Union team went to Spain where the finals were held. In the semi-finals, the Soviet Union defeated Denmark 3–0 in Barcelona but their dreams of winning the title again were dashed in the final when Spain, the host, scored a late goal, winning 2–1.[17][18]

The late 1960s: Semi-finals at World Cup and European Championships

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The 1966 FIFA World Cup was the tournament in which the Soviet Union team reached their best result by finishing in fourth place. The Soviet Union was in Group 4 with North Korea, Italy and Chile.[19][20][21] In all three matches, the Soviet Union team managed to defeat their rivals. The Soviet team then defeated Hungary in the quarter-finals thanks to the effective performance of their star, Lev Yashin but their success was ended by two defeats on 25 and 28 July, against West Germany in the semi-finals and Portugal in the third-place playoff match, respectively. The 1966 squad was the second-best scoring Soviet team in World Cup history, with 10 goals.[22][23][24]

For the Euro 1968, the qualification competition was played in two stages; a group stage (taking place from 1966 until 1968) and the quarter-finals (played in 1968). Again, only four teams could reach the finals which were held in Italy. The semi-final match between the Soviet Union and Italy ended 0–0. It was decided to toss a coin to see who reached the final, rather than play a replay.[25] Italy won, and went on to become European champions. On 8 June 1968, the Soviets were defeated by England in the third-place match.[26]

Kachalin's second attempt

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The 1970 World Cup started with the match between Mexico and the Soviet Union.[27] The Soviet team became the first team to make a substitution in World Cup history in this match.[28] Other opponents in their group were Belgium and El Salvador. The Soviet team easily qualified to the quarter-final where they lost against Uruguay in extra time. This was the last time the Soviet Union reached the quarter-finals.[29]

The final tournament of the 1972 European Championships took place between 14 and 18 June 1972. Again, only four teams were in the finals. The Soviets defeated Hungary 1–0, with a second-half goal.[30] The final was between West Germany and the Soviet Union. The match ended with a victory of the German side thanks to the effective football of Gerd Müller. This tournament was one of the two tournaments in which the Soviet Union finished as runner-up.[31]

Failures to qualify in the 1970s

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The Soviet Union playing Argentina at El Monumental, Buenos Aires, November 1976

After being runners up at Euro 1972, the rest of the 1970s were bleak for the Soviets, who were disqualified from the 1974 World Cup as a result of a refusal to play Chile in the aftermath of the 1973 Chilean coup d'état and failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup or the 1976 and 1980 European Championships.[32]

Beskov recovers the team

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Soviet Union v Belgium at the 1986 World Cup

The 1982 World Cup was the Soviet Union's first major tournament appearance for a decade. The Soviet Union was in Group 6 with Brazil, Scotland, and New Zealand. Goals by Sócrates and Éder Aleixo marked the defeat of the Soviet side against Brazil in the first group match and they were eventually eliminated in the second round by finishing the group in second place when they defeated Belgium only 1–0 and drew against Poland with an 0–0 results.[33][34][35] In 1984, the Soviets again failed to qualify for the European Championships, but succeeded in qualifying for the 1986 World Cup. The Soviet Union was in Group C with Hungary, France, and Canada. The Soviets used Irapuato, Guanajuato as their training ground in the World Cup.[36]

The Soviet team enjoyed a successful group stage by scoring nine goals and finishing the group in first place. Ultimately, however, they lost to Belgium 3–4 after extra time in the round of 16. Despite their poor performance in the cup, this team was the best scoring Soviet team in World Cup history, with 12 goals.[37]

Lobanovsky era and demise of Soviet Union

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After failing to qualify for three consecutive European Cups (1976, 1980, 1984), the Soviets managed to qualify for the 1988 competition, the last time the Soviet Union national football team took part in the European Football Championship. The finals were held in West Germany, with eight teams participating. Soviet Union finished Group B as leaders above the Netherlands and defeated Italy 2–0 in the semi-final.[38] In the final against the Netherlands, another team from Group B, the Netherlands avenged their group stage defeat, winning by a score of 2–0 to be crowned European champions.[39]

The final major championship contested by the Soviet team was the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where they were drawn in Group B with Argentina, Romania and Cameroon. The only success for the Soviets came when they defeated group leaders Cameroon 4–0.[40] The Soviets lost their other matches and failed to qualify from the group. The Soviet Union qualified for Euro 1992, but the breakup of the Soviet Union meant that their place was instead taken by the CIS national football team, composed of newly independent Soviet republics. After the tournament, the former Soviet republics competed as separate independent nations, with FIFA allocating the Soviet team's record to Russia.[41]

Kit evolution

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soviet Union national football team kits.
 
The Soviet team in 1925

The Soviet Union traditionally wore red jerseys with white shorts and red socks.[42]

Home stadium

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From the Soviet Union's first fixture (16 November 1924 vs. Turkey) they played their home games at various stadiums.

Venue City Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA Points per game
Central Lenin Stadium Moscow 1956–1992 78 50 18 10 151 50 2.15
Central Stadium Kiev 1969–1990 12 10 1 1 27 6 2.58
Lenin Dynamo Stadium Tbilisi 1967–1987 10 6 1 3 19 9 1.9
Dynamo Stadium Moscow 1954–1971 9 7 2 0 41 8 2.56
Lokomotiv Stadium Simferopol 1979–1989 4 4 0 0 11 1 3
Kirov Stadium Leningrad 1967–1984 3 3 0 0 8 1 3
Hrazdan Stadium Yerevan 1978 2 2 0 0 12 2 3
Central Lokomotiv Stadium Moscow 1979–1988 2 2 0 0 5 1 3
Central Stadium Volgograd 1977 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Pakhtakor Central Stadium Tashkent 1975 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Vorovsky Stadium Moscow 1924 1 1 0 0 3 0 0
Black Sea Shipping Stadium Odessa 1974 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Totals 1924–1992 123 86 22 15 281 80 2.28
Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

Note:

Coaching history

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Manager Nation Years Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA Win % Qualifying cycle Final tour
Boris Arkadiev   1952 3 1 1 1 8 9 33.33 1952(o)
Vasily Sokolov   1954 2 1 1 0 8 1 50
Gavriil Kachalin   1955–1958 34 22 6 6 88 35 64.71 1956(o), 1958, 1960 1956(o), 1958
Georgiy Glazkov   1959 1 1 0 0 3 1 100
Mikhail Yakushin   1959 2 2 0 0 2 0 100 1960
Gavriil Kachalin   1960–1962 22 16 2 4 49 20 72.73 1962 1960, 1962
Nikita Simonyan   1963 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Konstantin Beskov   1963–1964 9 4 4 1 14 7 44.44 1964 1964
Nikita Simonyan   1964 1 0 1 0 2 2 0
Nikolai Morozov   1964–1966 31 15 9 7 51 33 48.39 1966 1966
Mikhail Yakushin   1967–1968 28 16 7 5 51 31 57.14 1968, 1968(o) 1968
Gavriil Kachalin   1969–1970 18 9 7 2 29 11 50 1970 1970
Valentin Nikolayev   1970–1971 13 8 5 0 24 5 61.54 1972
Nikolay Gulyayev   1972 4 2 1 1 6 4 50 1972
Aleksandr Ponomarev   1972 15 8 4 3 27 17 53.33 1972(o), 1972
German Zonin   1972 3 1 0 2 1 2 33.33
Yevgeny Goryansky   1973 10 3 2 5 6 6 30 1974*
Konstantin Beskov   1974 3 1 0 2 1 4 33.33 1976
Valeriy Lobanovsky   1975–1976 19 11 4 4 33 18 57.89 1976 1976(o)
Valentin Nikolayev   1976 2 0 1 1 0 2 0
Nikita Simonyan   1977–1979 27 18 4 5 60 22 66.67 1978, 1980
Konstantin Beskov   1979–1982 28 17 8 3 54 19 60.71 1980, 1982 1982
Oleg Bazilevich   1979 1 1 0 0 3 1 100
Valeriy Lobanovsky   1982–1983 10 6 3 1 18 6 60 1984
Eduard Malofeyev   1984–1986 25 14 3 8 37 23 56 1986
Valeriy Lobanovsky   1986–1987 17 9 6 2 31 11 52.94 1988 1986
Nikita Simonyan   1988 1 1 0 0 4 0 100
Morozov and Mosyagin   1988 4 1 2 1 5 5 25
1st Coaching Staff   1988–1990 31 16 6 9 42 29 51.61 1990 1988, 1990
2nd Coaching Staff   1990–1992 28 12 11 5 39 24 42.86 1992 1992

Notes:

Player records

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Oleg Blokhin is Soviet Union's top goalscorer and their most capped player.
Most appearances[43]
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Oleg Blokhin 112 42 1972–1988
2 Rinat Dasayev 91 0 1979–1990
3 Albert Shesternev 90 0 1961–1971
4 Anatoliy Demyanenko 80 6 1981–1990
5 Volodymyr Bezsonov 79 4 1977–1990
6 Lev Yashin 78 0 1954–1967
7 Sergei Aleinikov[a] 77 6 1984–1991
8 Murtaz Khurtsilava 69 6 1965–1973
9 Oleg Protasov[b] 68 28 1984–1991
10 Valeriy Voronin 66 5 1960–1968
Top goalscorers[43]
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Oleg Blokhin 42 112 0.38 1972–1988
2 Oleg Protasov[b] 29 68 0.43 1984–1991
3 Valentin Ivanov 26 59 0.44 1956–1965
4 Eduard Streltsov 25 38 0.66 1955–1968
5 Viktor Kolotov 22 55 0.4 1970–1978
6 Viktor Ponedelnik 20 29 0.69 1960–1966
Igor Chislenko 20 53 0.38 1959–1968
8 Anatoliy Banishevskiy 19 50 0.38 1965–1972
9 Anatoliy Ilyin 16 31 0.52 1952–1959
10 Anatoliy Byshovets 15 39 0.38 1966–1972
  1. ^ Sergei Aleinikov also made four appearances for Belarus.
  2. ^ a b Oleg Protasov also made one appearance for Ukraine.

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup record

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Main article: Russia at the FIFA World Cup

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

FIFA World Cup record Qualification Record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squads Pld W D L GF GA
  1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  1934
  1938
  1950 did not enter did not enter
  1954
  1958 Quarter-final 7th 5 2 1 2 5 6 Squad 5 4 0 1 18 3
  1962 Quarter-final 6th 4 2 1 1 9 7 Squad 4 4 0 0 11 3
  1966 Fourth place 4th 6 4 0 2 10 6 Squad 6 5 0 1 19 6
  1970 Quarter-final 5th 4 2 1 1 6 2 Squad 4 3 1 0 8 1
  1974 did not qualify 6 3 1 2 5 4
  1978 4 2 0 2 5 3
  1982 Second Group stage 7th 5 2 2 1 7 4 Squad 8 6 2 0 20 2
  1986 Round of 16 10th 4 2 1 1 12 5 Squad 8 4 2 2 13 8
  1990 Group stage 17th 3 1 0 2 4 4 Squad 8 4 3 1 11 4
Total Fourth place 7/14 31 15 6 10 53 34 — 53 35 9 9 110 34

UEFA European Championship record

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  Champions    Runners-up    Third Place    Fourth Place  

UEFA European Championship record Qualification Record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squads Pld W D L GF GA
  1960 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 5 1 Squad 2 2 0 0 4 1
  1964 Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 4 2 Squad 4 2 2 0 7 3
  1968 Fourth place 4th 2 0 1 1 0 2 Squad 8 6 0 2 19 8
  1972 Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 1 3 Squad 8 5 3 0 16 4
  1976 Did not qualify 8 4 1 3 12 10
  1980 6 1 3 2 7 8
  1984 6 4 1 1 11 2
  1988 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 7 4 Squad 8 5 3 0 14 3
  1992 Qualified, but dissolved and replaced by CIS national football team 8 5 3 0 13 2
Total 1 title 5/8 13 7 2 4 17 12 — 58 34 16 8 103 41

Summer Olympics record

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Olympic record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squads
1896–1912 Preceded with Russian Empire
1920–1948 Did not enter
  1952 Round 1 14th 3 1 1 1 8 9 Squad
  1956 Gold medalists 1st 5 4 1 0 9 2 Squad
  1960 Did not qualify
  1964
  1968
  1972 Bronze medalists 3rd 7 5 1 1 17 6 Squad
  1976 Bronze medalists 3rd 5 4 0 1 10 4 Squad
  1980 Bronze medalists 3rd 6 5 0 1 19 3 Squad
  1984 Did not enter
  1988 Gold medalists 1st 6 5 1 0 14 4 Squad
Total Gold medalists 4/20 32 24 4 4 77 28 —

Honours

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Major competitions

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Friendly

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Summary

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Competition       Total
FIFA World Cup 0 0 0 0
Olympic Games 2 0 3 5
UEFA European Championship 1 3 0 4
Total 3 3 3 9

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Playing for the enemy: The Ukrainian footballers who sign for Russian clubs". 12 January 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  2. ^ "How the Russians break the Olympic rules". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  3. ^ Washburn, J. N. (21 July 1974). "Soviet Amateur Athlete: A Real Pro". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  4. ^ "The Soviet Union and the Olympics". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  5. ^ Hentilä, Seppo (1982). Suomen työläisurheilun historia I. Työväen Urheiluliitto 1919–1944. Hämeenlinna: Karisto. pp. 146–148. ISBN 951-23216-0-2.
  6. ^ Hentilä, Seppo (2014). Bewegung, Kultur und Alltag im Arbeitersport (in German). Helsinki: The Finnish Society for Labour History. p. 48. ISBN 978-952-59762-6-7. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Soviet Union – International Results 1911-1935". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2007.
  8. ^ a b "USSR – Yugoslavia, the Story of Two Different Football Conceptions". russianfootballnews.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Yugoslavia National Team List of Results 1950-1959". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2007.
  10. ^ "1958 – Qualifying competition". Planet World Cup. Archived from the original on 19 January 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2007.
  11. ^ "Sweden 2-0 Soviet Union". Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  12. ^ "European Championship 1960 (Details)". Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  13. ^ Cox, Michael (22 October 2023). "How the Soviet Union won Euro 1960: A 'WM' formation, Franco's Spain withdrawal and Lev Yashin". The Athletic. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  14. ^ McVeigh, Niall (12 June 2018). "Golden Goal: Marcos Coll scores from a corner for Colombia v USSR (1962)". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  15. ^ Caesar, Faisal (15 July 2021). "Soviet Union and the World Cup: Always promising but underachievers". CricketSoccer. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  16. ^ Garin, Erik; Stokkermans, Karel; Tabeira, Martín (31 January 2007). "European Championship 1964". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  17. ^ Courtney, Barrie (8 May 2008). "European Championship 1964 - Details Final Tournament". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  18. ^ "Marcelino heads Spain to EURO 1964 final win against USSR". UEFA. 12 February 2016 [2 October 2003]. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  19. ^ "Soviet Union 3-0 North Korea (12 Jul, 1966) Final Score". ESPN (IN). Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  20. ^ "Soviet Union 1-0 Italy (Jul 16, 1966) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Soviet Union 2-1 Chile (20 Jul, 1966) Final Score". ESPN (SG). Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Soviet Union 2-1 Hungary (23 Jul, 1966) Final Score". ESPN (UK). Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Germany FR 2-1 Soviet Union (25 Jul, 1966) Final Score". ESPN (IN). Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  24. ^ "Portugal 2-1 Soviet Union (28 Jul, 1966) Final Score". ESPN (IN). Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Coin toss takes Italy to EURO 1968 final after USSR stalemate". UEFA. 22 January 2014 [October 2, 2003]. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  26. ^ "England beat Soviet Union to win EURO 1968 third-place play-off". UEFA. 1 June 2016 [2 October 2003]. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  27. ^ Beaumont, Chris (5 August 2023). "Mexico 70: Sunday, 31st May 1970 and the tournament gets underway with the hosts in action". Football Bloody Hell. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  28. ^ Wood, Robert (September 2010). "Football World Cup Firsts". Topend Sports. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Uruguay 1-0 Soviet Union (Jun 14, 1970) Final Score". ESPN. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  30. ^ "USSR make it past Hungary to reach EURO 1972 final". UEFA. 9 March 2016 [3 October 2003]. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  31. ^ "History: West Germany 3-0 USSR | UEFA EURO 1972 Final". UEFA. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Soviet Union refuses to play Chile in World Cup Soccer". HISTORY. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  33. ^ "Brazil 2-1 Soviet Union (Jun 14, 1982) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Soviet Union 1-0 Belgium (1 Jul, 1982) Final Score". ESPN (IN). Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  35. ^ Jay, Charles (26 November 2022). "How Poland booted the USSR from the World Cup in 1982 and Russia in 2022". Daily Kos. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  36. ^ "WORLD CUP; SOVIET UNION, ARGENTINA WIN OPENERS". The New York Times. 3 June 1986. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Belgium 4-3 Soviet Union". Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Stylish USSR overcome youthful Italy in EURO 1988 semi-final". 5 October 2003. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Van Basten volley crowns Netherlands' EURO 1988 final win against USSR". 5 October 2003. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  40. ^ "Soviet Union 4-0 Cameroon". Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  41. ^ "History. About FUR. General information. FUR". en.rfs.ru. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016.
  42. ^ "History of the USSR national football team, pure Soviet football". Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  43. ^ a b Mamrud, Roberto. "Soviet Union/CIS – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 6 October 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2004.
  44. ^ Roy, Abhishek (14 August 2007). "Revisiting some of the memorable moments of the Nehru Cup". TwoCircles.net. IANS. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
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Preceded by
Inaugural champions
 European champions
1960 (first title) 		Succeeded by
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