The Russian national football team represents the Russian Federation in men’s international football. It is controlled by the Russian Football Union. The governing body of football in Russia. Russia’s home ground is Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and their head coach is Valery Karpin. Russia Football History.

Although a member of FIFA since 1912 (as the Russian Empire before 1917 and as the Soviet Union from 1924–91), Russia first entered the FIFA World Cup in 1958. He has qualified for the tournament 11 times, with his best result ever. Got the fourth position in 1966. Russia has been a member of UEFA since 1954. He won the first edition of the European Championship in 1960 and finished second in 1964, 1972, and 1988. Russia’s best result since the dissolution of the Soviet Union was in 2008 when the team won bronze.

Russian Football team

Led by manager Pavel Sadrin, Russia was in Group 5 for the qualifying campaign for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, which included Greece, Iceland, Hungary, and Luxembourg. FR Yugoslavia’s suspension reduced the group to five teams. Russia qualified with Greece with six wins and two draws. Russia went to America as an independent country.

The Russian squad consisted of veterans such as goalkeepers Stanislav Cherchesov, and Aleksandr Borodyuk, and players such as Viktor Onopko, Oleg Salenko, Dmitri Cheryshev, Aleksandr Mostovoi, Vladimir Beschastnykh, and Valeri Karpin (some of these Russian players were selected by the Ukrainian national team). football team but was not recognized by the Ukrainian Association of Football in time to participate in the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification).

In the final tournament, Russia was place in Group B with Cameroon, Sweden, and Brazil.

Russia in FIFA World Cup

Russia qualified automatically after being select as the host on 2 December 2010. During the pre-tournament friendlies, Russia did not fare well. Russia had friendlies like Argentina, Brazil, France, and Spain but they could not win all the matches against these teams. The team lost more games than they won and this led to their FIFA ranking of 70th, the lowest of all World Cup participants.

Russia began their FIFA World Cup campaign with the opening match against Saudi Arabia on 14 June, where they destroyed the Green Falcons by scoring 5 goals. On 19 June, Russia won their second game of the group stage, defeating Egypt by a scoreline of 3–1. A win against Egypt ensured Russia progressed to the knockout stage for the first time since 1986 when they played against the Soviet Union. And qualified for the next round, as an independent Russian Federation for the first time in its history, thanks to Uruguay beating Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the latter match. Russia’s final group game was against two-time world champions and powerhouse Uruguay, which Russia lost 3-0, meaning they would finish second in the group.

Russia best team in the world

Heading out of their group in second place, Russia faced Group B winners Spain, who were heavy favorites for the tournament, having won the competition in 2010. Russia also received a red card in this match. Russia fielded a very weak team against Spain who fielded most of their key players. Despite all that, Russia managed to stun Spain in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Defeated them in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.

The win sent fans and residents of Russia into wild celebration, as described by BBC Sport. Russia then faced Croatia in the quarter-finals on 7 July. Russia scored the first and last goal in the match, which ended 2–2 after extra time, and then went out 3–4 in a penalty shootout. It was Russia’s best World Cup performance since the fall of the USSR.

Russia host the 2018 FIFA World Cup

On 2 December 2010, Russia was selected to host the 2018 World Cup and automatically qualified for the tournament. Russia did not have good results during the friendly matches before the tournament. The team lost more games than they won and this led to their FIFA ranking of 70th, the lowest of all World Cup participants. Russia was drawn to play Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Uruguay in the group stage.

Despite a series of poor results in the warm-up games, however, Russia began their World Cup campaign on 14 June in their 2018 opener with a 5–0 defeat of Saudi Arabia, three places above them in the rankings. FIFA World Cup. On 19 June, Russia won their second game of the group stage, beating Egypt by a scoreline of 3–1, taking their goal difference to +7 with just two matches played. Russia Football History.

Win against Egypt

A win against Egypt ensured Russia progressed to the knockout stage for the first time. Since 1986 when they played against the Soviet Union. And as an independent state for the first time in its history. After Uruguay’s 1–0 win over Saudi Arabia, they officially qualified for the knockout stage the following day. Russia’s final group game was against two-time world champions (1930 and 1950). And powerhouse Uruguay, losing 3–0, finishing second in the group. Russia Football History.

Advancing from their group in second place, Russia faces Spain in the round of 16 in Moscow. Spain was consider one of the favorites for the tournament with many successful players at the club. And international level, having won the 2010 edition. Russia managed to stun Spain in one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. Defeated them in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time. BBC Sport and The Guardian called it one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. Considering how Russia was the lowest-ranked team before the competition. And according to some, the worst of the competition was one of the teams.

Russia best performance

Against the Spaniards, who were known for their tiki-taka, coach Stanislav Cherchesov used a 5–3–1–1 defensive formation to sit deep with ten men. And conceded no goals from open play as Spain’s only goal was free. Kick set piece while Russia leveled the game thanks to a handball penalty. Igor Akinfeev, who saved two penalties, including a fine save to deny Spain’s Iago Aspas, was name Budweiser Man of the Match.

The win against Spain sent Russia’s supporters and residents into wild celebrations. As they reached the quarter-finals for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Match TV commentator Denis Kazansky said: “From the first day we didn’t have high hopes for our team. Then the thinking turned to win. What we saw in people’s attitudes and in the history of Russian football. There is a significant change. Russia Football History.

Russia then faced Croatia in the quarter-finals held in Sochi on July 7. Coach Stanislav Cherchesov turned to a four-man defense that successfully exploited Croatia’s attacking set-up, which proved vulnerable to Russia’s counter-attack. Russia scored the first (a long-range strike by Denis Cheryshev, his fourth goal of the tournament. And was later nominated for the Puskás Award) and the last (Mario Fernandez’s header in the 115th minute) while The match ended 2-2. Extra time, and then eliminated 3-4 in a penalty shootout.

After all, this is Russia’s best World Cup performance since the dissolution of the USSR. The team visited FIFA Fanfest in Moscow on Sunday, July 8, 2018, to thank and say goodbye to their supporters. After the World Cup run, Russia’s position in the FIFA rankings rose from 70 to 40. For more details click here