On 9 October 1999, a football match took place between Russia and Ukraine in Moscow at Luzhniki Stadium. It was the final match for both nations in group 4 in the qualifying tournament for UEFA Euro 2000.
 The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow hosted the match | |||||||
| Event | UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 4 Matchday 10 | ||||||
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| Ukraine advances to qualifying play-offs. Russia fails to qualify for the tournament | |||||||
| Date | 9 October 1999 | ||||||
| Venue | Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow | ||||||
| Referee | David Elleray (England) | ||||||
| Attendance | 78,600 | ||||||
Overview edit
This match and the earlier between both nations in Euro 2000 qualifying, which Ukraine won 3–2, remain the only times Russia and Ukraine have faced each other in official competition.[1] In addition to the football ramifications, the game had a wider significance as a contest between two neighboring former Soviet countries and was attended by many Russian celebrities as well Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin.[2]
Entering the match, Russia needed a win to guarantee progression to the Euro 2000, while Ukraine only needed a draw to guarantee at least 2nd place and thus a play-off berth. Needing a win, Russia was on the attack much of the game looking for a go-ahead goal.[3]
In the 75th minute Valeri Karpin opened the score with a powerful free kick.[3] This appeared to provide Russia the result they needed, and Ukraine was heading out of qualifying. However, in the 87th minute, Andriy Shevchenko took a long free kick sending the ball towards the Russian goal. The shot appeared to be savable, but Russian goalkeeper Aleksandr Filimonov was surprised by the effort and, trying to catch the ball, knocked it into his own net.[3]
The match ended in a 1–1 draw,[4] which combined with other results left Ukraine in second place behind France. Ukraine qualified for a two-match play-off, which they lost to Slovenia, while Russia fell to third place and were eliminated from qualifying.
Match edit
Details edit
Russia  | 1–1 |  Ukraine |
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Report |
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        Russia
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     Ukraine
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Assistant referees:
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Match rules
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Aftermath edit
The two Euro 2000 qualifiers remain the only time that Russia and Ukraine have played each other in an international "A" match, giving Ukraine the head-to-head advantage of one win and one draw.[5]
Following the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014, UEFA decreed that representative teams from either nation at club and international level cannot play against each other outside of knockout competitions.[6] After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian Football Union has been suspended from FIFA and UEFA.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Forbidden match: Ukraine vs Russia". Institute of New Europe. 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ "ИТАЛЬЯНЦЫ МАТЕРИЛИ НАШЕГО ВРАТАРЯ НА ЯЗЫКЕ ДАНТЕ". Sport Express (in Russian). Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ a b c "Andriy Shevchenko's seven greatest career moments". Goal.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ "Russia 1 Ukraine 1". UEFA. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ "Ukraine national football team: record v Russia". 11v11.com. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "Emergency Panel decisions". UEFA. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions". UEFA. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2023-03-01.