king
1 Lev Yashin
knight
4 Vladimir Ponomaryov
pawn
6 Albert Shesternyov
pawn
10 Vasiliy Danilov
knight
7 Murtaz Khurtsilava
rook
12 Valery Voronin
pawn
8 Yozhef Sabo
rook
11 Igor Chislenko
bishop
18 Anatoliy Banishevskiy
queen
19 Eduard Malofeyev
bishop
15 Galimzyan Khusainov
4-3-3
4-4-2
4-3-3
4-2-3-1
4-1-4-1
4-5-1
4-3-2-1
3-5-2
3-4-3
5-3-2
5-4-1
Piece
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World Cup 1966

Soviet Union

Fourth place

Soviet Union returned to the World Cup in 1966, looking to improve on their 1962 knockout-round exit. Under Nikolai Morozov, they were ready to write the next chapter.

0
Played
0
Wins
0
Goals
0
Win Rate
Latest News
West Germany 2-1 Soviet Union in the Semi-Final
The West German team secured a stunning victory over the Soviet Union in a thrilling semi-final encounter held at Goodison Park on July 25th, 1966, ultimately securing a 2-1. Jan 05, 2026
4th Place
PRT2
SUN1
FRG2
SUN1
FRG4
URY0
SUN2
HUN1
The Campaign

World Cup 1966

Soviet Union exceeded many expectations with a deep run that took them to the semi-finals of the tournament. With 10 goals in 6 games, they carried a consistent attacking threat throughout.

19:30 FT Wembley Stadium
Portugal
2 ◆︎ 1
Soviet Union
3rd Place
19:30 FT Goodison Park (Liverpool )
West Germany
2 ◆︎ 1
Soviet Union
Semi-finals
15:00 FT Roker Park
Soviet Union
2 ◆︎ 1
Hungary
Quarter-finals
19:30 FT Roker Park
Soviet Union
2 ◆︎ 1
Chile
group stage
15:00 FT Roker Park
Soviet Union
1 ◆︎ 0
Italy
group stage
19:30 FT Ayresome Park
Soviet Union
3 ◆︎ 0
DPR Korea
group stage
The Defining Moment

Soviet Union 1966

The Soviet Union at England 1966 reached the semi-finals in what remains their best ever World Cup performance. Lev Yashin the Black Spider, widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in history was 36 years old and playing in his last World Cup. The Soviets topped a group that included Italy and North Korea, then beat Hungary 2-1 in the quarter-final. The semi-final against West Germany at Goodison Park ended 2-1 in defeat Beckenbauer scoring the winner. They claimed fourth place after losing to Portugal and Eusébio in the third-place match. The 1966 tournament was the peak of Soviet football on the world stage Yashin's last dance, and the closest the USSR ever came to reaching a World Cup final.

1966 campaign
0 matches played

4won2lost

10scored6conceded

4 consecutive wins scored in every match.

Top Scorer

Valeriy Porkujan

0 goals
17Forward

Valeriy Porkujan led Soviet Union's attack with 4 goals 2 in the group stage, 1 in the quarter-finals and 1 in the semi-finals at the 1966 World Cup. A specialist in decisive moments, with goals in the closing stages that changed the course of matches.

Defensive record
0 clean sheets

Conceded in only 4 of 6 matches

Head Coach

Nikolai Morozov

Soviet Union · 1966

The tactical mind behind Soviet Union's 1966 campaign. Leading Soviet Union at his first World Cup 4 wins, 2 losses under Morozov.

Playing Style

Soviet Steel Menace

Tactical identity · 1966

The Soviet Union employed an aggressive and physical style of play, relying on swift counter-attacks and precise passing sequences. However, their success in the group stage was not replicated at the semi-final level.

Goalkeepers

1
Lev Yashin
4GAMES
GK
21
Anzor Kavazashvili
2GAMES
GK
22
Viktor Bannikov
GK

Defenders

3
Leonid Ostrovskiy
2GAMES
CB
4
Vladimir Ponomaryov
5GAMES
LB
6
Albert Shesternyov
5GAMES
CB
7
Murtaz Khurtsilava
3GAMES
RB
9
Viktor Getmanov
1GAME
CB
10
Vasiliy Danilov
4GAMES
CB
13
Alexey Korneyev
2GAMES
CB

Midfielders

2
Viktor Serebryanikov
2GAMES
CM
5
Valentin Afonin
1GAME
CM
8
Yozhef Sabo
4GAMES
CM
11
Igor Chislenko
4GAMES2GOALS
RM
12
Valery Voronin
5GAMES
LM
14
Georgi Sichinava
2GAMES
CM

Forwards

15
Galimzyan Khusainov
4GAMES
RW
16
Slava Metreveli
2GAMES
CF
17
Valeriy Porkujan
3GAMES4GOALS
CF
18
Anatoliy Banishevskiy
5GAMES1GOAL
LW
19
Eduard Malofeyev
5GAMES3GOALS
CF
20
Eduard Markarov
1GAME
CF
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