Euro 60 – classic matches

 

USSR 3-0 Czechoslovakia  Semi-finals

Czechoslovakia pressed hard in this match straight from the kick off and the Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin made a string of fine saves. In the midfield for Russia, Netto, Voinov and Ivanov caused the Czechs problems and they finally took complete control. Ivanov scored two of the Russians three goals and Russia were in complete control, to the credit of Czechoslovakia they fought hard right up to the final whistle, and however they were still unable to find the net.

 

USSR 2-1 Yugoslavia - Final

The match attracted nearly 20,000 supporters, and Yugoslavia started off the brighter of the two teams. The Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin was the saviour of his country as he thwarted attack after attack, until the Yugoslav forward Galic, put Yugoslavia in front five minutes before the interval. The second half was played at a higher tempo, with the Soviets piling on the pressure, they equalised through Metreveli within five minutes of the second half. Yugoslavia were now forced to defend. The score line remained goal less by full time and the match went on to extra time. During extra time the physical superiority of the Russians began to tell. They came close to scoring on two occasions and with seven minutes remaining, the Soviets took the lead through Ponedelnik when he plucked a centre from the winger Meshki out of the air and smashed the ball into the back of the net. Yugoslavia had no energy to find an equalizer and USSR were the first champions to collect the Henri Delaunay Cup.