The Russia National Football Team
Russian Soccer Results Since the Break up of the USSR
Nov 19, 2009 Jonathan Squirrell
Following the break-up of the Soviet Union, and the short-lived CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) as an international football side, Russia began life as an independent football nation in the qualifying tournament for the 1994 World Cup. The Russian side began with four successive victories, beating Iceland, Hungary and Luxembourg twice, before their campaign stalled with draws against Greece and Iceland. Another victory over Hungary saw Russia go into their last match in Athens leading the table, but a first competitive defeat consigned them to second place, although this was still good enough to send them to the World Cup in the USA. Russia made little impact on the tournament however, losing to Brazil and Sweden, before gaining a consolation victory over Cameroon.
Russia then made short work of qualifying for Euro 96, dominating their group, which once again included Greece, and reaching the final tournament in England with an unbeaten record. Once again they fell at the first hurdle in a major championship, as defeats to Italy and Germany meant they were already out before their final match, a 3-3 draw with the Czech Republic. It would prove little consolation that the top teams in the group, Germany and the Czech’s, would go on to contest the final.
Russia Struggle to Qualify For Major Tournaments
Next came the attempt to reach the 1998 World Cup in France, but the Russian challenge got off to a slow start with a draw in Israel, soon followed by another in Cyprus. Results improved, but defeat in Sofia saw Russia slip behind Bulgaria in the final standings, and into the lottery of the play off system. The draw was unkind to Russia, matching them against Italy, and after a draw in Moscow the Italians won through 1-0 in Naples to deny Russia a World Cup spot. Qualification for Euro 2000 pitted Russia against other former Soviet sides for the first time, with mixed results. They twice beat Armenia, but took only a single point from the Ukraine, and finished below them in the table. The group was won by World Champions France, despite a home defeat to Russia, and the Russians could manage only third in the table, meaning another failure to qualify.
Russia Show Improved Form in Euro 2008
These wilderness years were soon forgotten as qualifying got underway for the 2002 World Cup. Russia were right back in form, topping a group which included Slovenia and Yugoslavia, and losing just one of ten matches. The Russians finally got off to a winning start in a major tournament, outclassing Tunisia in a 2-0 win, but defeat to the co-hosts Japan, and a shock loss to Belgium saw them fail to reach the knock out stages yet again. Russia then stumbled towards the 2004 European Championships. Despite good results against Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland, poor defeats in Albania and Georgia left them struggling to qualify, however a 3-1 victory over former Soviet satellite Georgia saw Russia creep into second place behind the Swiss, and secure a play off berth. They were drawn against Wales, and although they could only manage a stalemate in Moscow, a 1-0 success in Cardiff saw Russia through to the finals. Another bleak tournament followed however, as defeats to Spain and the hosts Portugal made victory over Greece meaningless.
Portugal were once again on hand to halt Russian progress in the qualifying tournament for the 2006 World Cup. The Portuguese thrashed Russia 7-1 on their way to topping the group. Russia managed better results against neighbours Estonia and Latvia, winning both home games and drawing in Tallinn and Riga. But two draws with Slovakia saw them squeezed into third place in the group, and sealed their elimination. However home and away victories over Estonia put Russia on the way to qualifying for Euro 2008. In a tough group they managed to take only a single point off Israel, but a draw in Croatia kept them in touch with the leaders. As Croatia clinched top spot, Russia came from behind to beat England 2-1 in Moscow and snatch the second qualifying place. It looked like Russia would once again fail to make an impact on the big stage when they were thrashed 4-1 by Spain in their opening match, but things improved quickly with victories over Greece and Sweden finally giving Russia a place in the second round of a major championship. An inspired 3-1 victory over the Netherlands had Russians believing they could go all the way, but they were once again out-classed by Spain, losing 3-0 in the semi-final.
Slovenia End Russian Dreams of Reaching South Africa
Russia then faced a tough route to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, drawn in a group which included Germany. They were twice beaten by the Germans, but won seven of their remaining eight matches, dropping points only with a draw in Azerbaijan. This performance saw them ease into the runner up position, and earn them another play off. Russia were seeded in the draw, but handed a tough tie against Slovenia. Leading 2-0 in the home leg with seconds to go, qualification seemed likely, but a late Slovenian goal made the second leg all important. Slovenia won 1-0, and Russia were eliminated on the away goals rule.
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