1956
Melbourne Olympic Football Gold
Yashin keeps goal for the Soviet Union as it beats Yugoslavia 1-0 in the Olympic final, establishing the team as a major international force.
Football player and manager history
Lev Yashin
Explore 6 football history records associated with Lev Yashin, arranged by year, month, day and event. Entries may concern different clubs or national teams during the person’s career.
Historical events
1958
First Soviet World Cup Appearance
Yashin makes his World Cup debut as the Soviet Union reaches the quarter-finals in Sweden, bringing his assertive goalkeeping to a global audience.
1960
First European Championship Final Victory
Yashin makes important saves as the Soviet Union defeats Yugoslavia after extra time to claim the inaugural European football championship.
1962
Chile World Cup Quarter-Final Appearance
Yashin represents the Soviet Union in the 1962 World Cup quarter-final against Chile, where the hosts win a tightly contested match 2-1.
1963
Yashin Becomes First Goalkeeper Winner
Lev Yashin receives the 1963 Ballon d’Or and becomes the first goalkeeper to win the prize, recognition of the commanding penalty-area presence and reflexes he demonstrates for Dynamo Moscow and the Soviet national side.
1966
World Cup Fourth Place Achievement
Yashin is a member of the Soviet squad that reaches the World Cup semi-finals for the first time, finishing fourth after defeat to Portugal.