The Russia national football team played their first international in 1992, after the break-up of the Soviet Union. The side beat Mexico 2-0 in Moscow. Their first world cup qualifying campaign was for the 1994 tournament in the United States. They have made it to three world cups in total but will make it four when they host the tournament in 2018.
The team’s biggest win came three years after their first international. In 1995 they beat San Marino 7-0. The Russia national football team’s biggest defeat came in 2004. They were beaten 7-1 by Portugal in Lisbon.
Soviet Union Era
The Soviet Union national team performed well in the seven world cups they made it to. The side were consistent but never exceptional, with their best performance being a fourth place in 1966. In their first world cup in 1958 the side made it to the quarter final, and did the same again in 1962 and 1970. The team made it to the second group stage in 1982 and the last 16 in 1986. In their final appearance the side did not manage to get out of their group in 1990.
