New Addition: Qualification Phase, Part One (USSR 1986 World Cup Qualifiers)

Following USSR’s elimination from qualifying to the Finals of Euro 1984, the Soviet Authorities dismissed The Manager Valeri Lobanovsky.

The new man in charge that they appointed was former Dinamo Minsk Manager Eduard Malofeyev. He had led Dinamo Minsk to the Soviet League Title in the Fall of 1982 and now his mission was qualification for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Malofeyev could still call upon the backbone of the team that included players from Spartak Moscow (goalkeeper Rinat Dassayev, Yuri Gavrilov), Dinamo Tblissi (Chivadze, Sulakvelidze), not to mention the Dinamo Kiev contingent (Baltacha, Bessonov, Demiannenko, Blokhin).

Many of his former Minsk players (Aleinkov, Gotsmanov, Zigmantovich and Kondratiev) now had opportunities in the new regime.

Dnipropetrovsk pair of Gennadi Litovchenko and excellent striker Oleg Protasov were also now in International reckoning after helping Dnipro win the Soviet League title in the Fall of 1983.

USSR played a number of friendlies in 1984 in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers that would start in September.

They lost to West Germany (March 28, 1984, 1-2), but defeated Finland (May 15, 1984, 3-1) and Mexico (August 19, 1984, 3-0).

Their best display was in defeating England at Wembley (June 2, 1984, 2-0).

Malofeyev experimented in these matches and included many of the aforementioned new Dinamo Minsk and Dnipro players.

Their World Cup qualifying group included Denmark, who had surprised everyone during the 1984 European Championships. The others were Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Norway.

The World Cup qualifiers started on September 12^th with an away trip at Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland. The hosts won this hard fought match (1-0). In general the Soviets would find traveling difficult for these qualifiers.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 55, October 1984

(September 12, 1984, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-USSR 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 70, December 1985

(Gennadi Litovchenko and Mark Lawrenson, September 12, 1984, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-USSR 0)

The second match at Oslo vs. Norway on October 10^th was also disappointing as the Soviets could only manage a (1-1) tie. Litovchenko replied with a goal in the 74^th minute, after the Soviets had gone behind twenty minutes earlier to a Hallvar Thoresen penalty kick (awarded after Rodionov had fouled Thoresen in the box). For this match at Norway, Oleg Blokhin had been dropped. Officially, it had been stated that his unavailability was due to injury. Many believed it was because he had quarreled with his teammates.

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 41, October 14, 1984

(Sergei Alienikov and Hallvar Thoresen, October 10, 1984, World Cup Qualifier, Norway 1-USSR 1)

In the New Year (1985), Malofeyev took the squad to participate in the Jawaharlal Nehru Cup in India.

They came back victorious after wins vs. China, Iran, Morocco and a Final win vs. Yugoslavia.

In preparation for the away qualifier at Berne vs. Switzerland, the Soviets took upon Austria in a friendly at Tblissi and won (2-0).

After two disappointing away performances, the Soviets were eager to come away with a positive result vs. the Swiss. They seemed to be headed to a rare away victory after Demianenko had given them the lead with ten minutes remaining. However, Andre Egli scored Switzerland’s equalizer at the death to deprive the USSR of its first win in the group.

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 16, April 21, 1985

(April 17, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, Switzerland 2-USSR 2)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 70, December 1985

(USSR Squad, April 17, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, Switzerland 2-USSR 2)

Two weeks later they faced the same opponents on home turf. Malofeyev had vowed they USSR would play an attacking game at home. They tore apart Switzerland and scored four goals (two apiece by Protasov and Kondratiev) in just the first half. Future Ballon d’Or winner Igor Belanov made his debut for the Soviet Union by coming on for Litovchenko with ten minutes left.

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 18, May 5, 1985

(May 2, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 4-Switzerland 0)

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 18, May 5, 1985

(May 2, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 4-Switzerland 0)

Photo From: kicker_WM-Sonderheft_1986

(Oleg Protasov, May 2, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 4-Switzerland 0)

On June 5^th, they faced the impressive Denmark squad at Copenhagen. What more can be said about one of the most referenced matches in the history of Football. This match has gone down as a perfect example of attacking and attractive Football being played by both teams. Denmark won (4-2), but despite the loss, the Soviets were praised for their approach.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 70, December 1985

(Preben Elkjaer, June 5, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, Denmark 4-USSR 2)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 70, December 1985

(Preben Elkjaer and Tengiz Sulakvelidze, June 5, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, Denmark 4-USSR 2

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2073, December 31, 1985

(USSR Squad, Top, left to right: Rinat Dassayev,  Yuri Gavrilov,  Oleg Protasov, Sergei Aleinikov, Tengiz Sulakvelidze,  Gennadi Litovchenko , Bottom, left to right; Sergey Baltacha, Igor Belanov , Boris Pozdniakov, Sergei Gotsmanov, Anatoli Demianenko , June 5, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, Denmark 4-USSR 2)

The Soviets started the final phase of the qualification with preparatory friendlies vs. Romania and West Germany in August (both won by them).

Alexander Zavarov made his debut for National team in the match vs. Romania.

Oleg Blokhin was now re-integrated back into the squad after having fallen out with his teammates the previous year.

On September 25^th, they took upon group rivals Denmark in Moscow. The high scoring Oleg protasov was the difference as they won this key match to inch closer to qualification.

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 39, September 29, 1985

(September 25, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 1-Denmark 0)

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 39, September 29, 1985

(September 25, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 1-Denmark 0)

The Soviets were to close out the qualification matches in the month of October at home vs. Republic of Ireland and Norway (within two weeks of one another).

The Irish (surprisingly good away from home) were defeated (2-0) with once again Protasov amongst the scorers.

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 42, October 20, 1985

(October 16, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 2-Republic of Ireland 0)

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 42, October 20, 1985

(October 16, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 2-Republic of Ireland 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 119, November 1985

(Fyodor Cherernkov, October 16, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 2-Republic of Ireland 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 119, November 1985

(Protasov’s goal, October 16, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 2-Republic of Ireland 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 119, November 1985

(USSR Squad, October 16, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 2-Republic of Ireland 0)

At the end of the month, they defeated Norway (1-0) with a goal from Kondratiev in very cold temperatures. They qualified for the World Cup Finals along with group winner Denmark.

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, Issue 44, November 3, 1985

(October 30, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 1-Norway 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2065, November 5, 1985

(October 30, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 1-Norway 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2065, November 5, 1985

(October 30, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 1-Norway 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2065, November 5, 1985

(October 30, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, USSR 1-Norway 0)

In the New Year, the Soviets took part in customary friendly matches in preparation for the World Cup.

The results were disastrous as they successively lost to Spain (January 22, 1986, 0-2), Mexico (February 19, 1986, 0-1), England (at Tblissi, March 26, 1986, 0-1) and Romania (April 23, 1986, 1-2).

The authorities fearing a disaster at the World Cup, removed Malofeyev from his post and re-appointed Valeri Lobanovsky as National Team Manager.

Lobanovsky flooded the squad with his own Dinamo Kiev players and installed Belanov and Zavarov in leading roles.

The Soviets were impressive in the first round of the Finals, which included the (6-0) hammering of Hungary. They were eliminated in the second round by Belgium (3-4). Igor Belanov and Alexander Zavarov’s performances earned the former the Ballon d’Or and the latter the Soviet Player of the year Award.

1986 World Cup Qualifiers-Euroepan Zone-Group 6

September 12, 1984 (Oslo) (Norway 0-Switzerland 1)

September 12, 1984

Republic of Ireland 1-USSR 0

Venue: Dublin -Lansdowne Road

Attendance: 45,000

Referee: Johannes ‘Jan’ Keizer (Holland)

Goalscorers:

(Republic of Ireland): Mickey Walsh 64

(USSR): None

Lineups:

Republic of Ireland:

1-Seamus McDonagh, 2-John Anthony Devine, 5-David O'Leary, 4-Mark Lawrenson, 3-Chris Hughton, 7-Ronnie Whelan, 8-Tony Grealish (captain), 6-Liam Brady , 9-Tony Galvin, 10-Mickey Walsh (14-Eamonn O'Keeffe 80^th), 11-Michael Robinson

Coach: Eoin Hand

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev, 2-Tengiz Sulakvelidze,  3-Aleksandr Chivadze (captain), 5-Sergey Baltacha, 4-Anatoli Demianenko, 9-Sergei Aleinikov, 8-Vladimir Bessonov (14-Andrei Zygmantovich 32^nd), 7-Gennadi Litovchenko, 6-Khoren Oganesian  (13-Sergei Gotsmanov 67^th), 11-Oleg Blokhin, 10-Sergei Rodionov    

Booked: Sergei Baltacha

         

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Ireland	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
2	Switzerland	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
3	Norway	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
4	USSR	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
5	Denmark	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

September 26, 1984 (Copenhagen) (Denmark 1-Norway 0)

October 10, 1984

Norway 1-USSR 1

Venue: Oslo -Ullevaal Stadion       

Attendance: 13,789

Referee: Volker Roth (West Germany)

Goalscorers:

(Norway): Hallvar Thoresen 54 pen

(USSR): Gennadi Litovchenko 74

Lineups:

Norway:

1-Erik Thordsvet, 2-Svein Fjaellberg, 3-Terje Kojedal, 4-Aage Hareide,5- Per Edmund Mordt, 6-Erik Soler, 7-Per-Egil Ahlsen, 8-Vidar Davidsen (15-Egil Johansen 72^nd), 9-Arne Larsen-Oakland, 10-Paal Jacobsen, 11-Hallvar Thoresen

Coach: Tor-Roste Fossen

Other Subs: Ola By Rise, Per Henriksen, Tonning Hammer, Joar Vaadal

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain), 2-Tengiz Sulakvelidze, 3- Aleksandr Bubnov, 4-Sergey Baltacha, 5-Boris Pozdniakov, 7-Sergei Gotsmanov, 6-Gennadi Litovchenko, 8-Khoren Oganesian (15-Andrei Zygmantovich 46^th), 9-Sergei Aleinikov, 11-Sergei Rodionov (14-Georgiy Kondratiev 66^th), 10-Oleg Protasov

Booked: Georgiy Kondratiev, Aleksandr Bubnov

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Ireland	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
2	Switzerland	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
3	Norway	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
4	USSR	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
5	Denmark	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

September 26, 1984 (Copenhagen) (Denmark 1-Norway 0)

October 10, 1984

Norway 1-USSR 1

Venue: Oslo -Ullevaal Stadion       

Attendance: 13,789

Referee: Volker Roth (West Germany)

Goalscorers:

(Norway): Hallvar Thoresen 54 pen

(USSR): Gennadi Litovchenko 74

Lineups:

Norway:

1-Erik Thordsvet, 2-Svein Fjaellberg, 3-Terje Kojedal, 4-Aage Hareide,5- Per Edmund Mordt, 6-Erik Soler, 7-Per-Egil Ahlsen, 8-Vidar Davidsen (15-Egil Johansen 72^nd), 9-Arne Larsen-Oakland, 10-Paal Jacobsen, 11-Hallvar Thoresen

Coach: Tor-Roste Fossen

Other Subs: Ola By Rise, Per Henriksen, Tonning Hammer, Joar Vaadal

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain), 2-Tengiz Sulakvelidze, 3- Aleksandr Bubnov, 4-Sergey Baltacha, 5-Boris Pozdniakov, 7-Sergei Gotsmanov, 6-Gennadi Litovchenko, 8-Khoren Oganesian (15-Andrei Zygmantovich 46^th), 9-Sergei Aleinikov, 11-Sergei Rodionov (14-Georgiy Kondratiev 66^th), 10-Oleg Protasov

Booked: Georgiy Kondratiev, Aleksandr Bubnov

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Ireland	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
2	Switzerland	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
3	Denmark	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
4	Norway	3	1	0	2	1	3	-2	2
5	USSR	1	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1

October 17, 1984 (Bern) (Switzerland 1-Denmark 0)

October 17, 1984 (Oslo) (Norway1-Republic of Ireland 0)

Novemebr 14, 1984 (Copenhagen) (Denmark 2-Republic of Ireland 0)

April 17, 1985

Switzerland 2-USSR 2

Venue: Berne- Wankdorf Stadion

Attendance: 51,000

Referee: Robert Valentine (Scotland)

Goalscorers:

(Switzerland): Jean-Paul Brigger 43 pen, Andre Egli 90

(USSR): Yuri Gavrilov 36, Anatoli Demianenko 80

Lineups:

Switzerland:

1-Karl Engel, 2-Heinz Lüdi , 3-Charles In-Albon, 4-Andre Egli, 5-Roger Wehrli, 6-Heinz Hermann, 7-Alain Geiger, 10-Georges Bregy, 8-Umberto Barberis (12-Marco Schallibaum 73^rd), 9-Jean-Paul Brigger, 11-Dominique Cina

Coach: Paul Wolfisberg

Booked: Jean-Paul Brigger

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain), 2-Nikolai Larionov, 3-Ivan Vishnevskiy, 5-Sergey Baltacha, 4-Anatoli Demianenko, 6-Sergei Aleinikov, 7-Sergei Gotsmanov, 8-Gennadi Litovchenko (14-Andrei Zygmantovich 71st), 9-Yuri Gavrilov, 10- Oleg Protasov, 11-Georgiy Kondratiev 

Booked: Gennadi Litovchenko, Sergei Gotsmanov

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Switzerland	3	2	1	0	4	2	2	5
2	Denmark	3	2	0	1	4	1	3	4
3	Norway	4	1	1	2	2	3	-1	3
4	USSR	3	0	2	1	3	4	-1	2
5	Ireland	3	1	0	2	1	4	-3	2

May 1, 1985 (Dublin) (Republic of Ireland 0-Norway 0)

May 2, 1985

USSR 4-Switzerland 0

Venue: Moscow (Lenin Stadium)

Attendance: 95,000

Referee: Roger Schoeters (Belgium)

Goalscorers:

(USSR): Oleg Protasov 18, 39, Georgiy Kondratiev 44, 45

(Switzerland): None

Lineups:

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain), 2-Tengiz Sulakvelidze,  3-Ivan Vishnevskiy, 4-Anatoli Demianenko, 6-Sergei Aleinikov,  5-Nikolai Larionov, 7-Sergei Gotsmanov, 8-Gennadi Litovchenko (14-Igor Belanov 79^th), 9-Yuri Gavrilov,  10-Oleg Protasov,  11-Georgiy Kondratiev (15-Fyodor Cherenkov 72^nd)

Switzerland:

1-Karl Engel, 2-Heinz Lüdi, 3-Charles In-Albon, 4-Andre Egli, 5-Roger Wehrli, 6-Heinz Hermann, 7-Alain Geiger, 8-Umberto Barberis (13-Christian Matthey 60^th), 11-Marco Schallibaum, 10-Georges Bregy (12-Manfred Braschler 60^th), 9-Jean-Paul Brigger

Coach: Paul Wolfisberg

Booked: Heinz Lüdi 34

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Switzerland	4	2	1	1	4	6	-2	5
2	Denmark	3	2	0	1	4	1	3	4
3	USSR	4	1	2	1	7	4	3	4
4	Norway	5	1	2	2	2	3	-1	4
5	Ireland	4	1	1	2	1	4	-3	3

June 2, 1985 (Dublin) (Republic of Ireland 3-Switzerland 0)

June 5, 1985

Denmark 4-USSR 2

Venue: Copenhagen -Idrætsparken

Attendance: 45,700

Referee: Horst Brummeier (Austria)

Goalscorers:

(Denmark): Preben Elkjaer 15, 19, Michael Laudrup 61,64

(USSR): Oleg Protasov 26 , Sergei Gotsmanov 68

Lineups:

Denmark:

1-Ole Qvist, 2-Klaus Berggreen, 4-Morten Olsen (captain), 3-Soren Busk, 5-Ivan Nielsen, 7-Jens Jorn Bertelesen, 8-Jesper Olsen (13-Per Frimann 46^th), 9-Frank Arnesen (15-Henrik Andersen 78^th), 6-Soren Lerby, 11-Michael Laudrup,  10-Preben Elkjaer  

Coach: Josef "Sepp" Piontek (West Germany)

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain), 2-Tengiz Sulakvelidze,  3-Boris Pozdniakov, 5-Sergey Baltacha, 4-Anatoli Demianenko, 6-Sergei Aleinikov, 8- Gennadi Litovchenko (14-Andrei Zygmantovich 23rd), 7-Sergei Gotsmanov, 10- Oleg Protasov, 9-Yuri Gavrilov, 11- Igor Belanov (12-Georgiy Kondratiev 74^th)

Booked: Tengiz Sulakvelidze

         

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Denmark	4	3	0	1	8	3	5	6
2	Ireland	5	2	1	2	4	4	0	5
3	Switzerland	5	2	1	2	4	9	-5	5
4	USSR	5	1	2	2	9	8	1	4
5	Norway	5	1	2	2	2	3	-1	4

September 11, 1985 (Bern) (Switzerland 0-Republic of Ireland 0)

September 25, 1985

USSR 1-Denmark 0

Venue: Moscow (Lenin Stadium)

Attendance: 103,000

Referee: Antonis Vassaras (Greece)

Goalscorers:

(USSR): Oleg Protasov 50

(Denmark): None

Lineups:

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain), 2-Gennadi Morozov, 5-Aleksandr Bubnov, 3-Aleksandr Chivadze,   4-Anatoli Demianenko,9-Sergei Aleinikov,  6-Nikolai Larionov (14-Alexander Zavarov 25^th), 8-Fyodor Cherenkov,  7-Sergei Gotsmanov,  10-Oleg Protasov,  11-Oleg Blokhin (15-Georgiy Kondratiev 85^th)

Other Subs: 12-Yuri Gavrilov, 13-Oleg Kuznetsov

Booked: Gennadi Morozov

Denmark:

1-Trols Rasmussen, 2-John Sivebak, 3-Soren Busk, 4-Morten Olsen (captain), 5-Ivan Nielsen (12-Jan Molby 49^th), 7-Jens Jorn Bertelesen, 6-Soren Lerby, 9-Klaus Berggreen, 8-Frank Arnesen, 10-Preben Elkjaer (13-Per Frimann 14^th), 11-Michael Laudrup

Coach: Josef "Sepp" Piontek (West Germany)

Other Subs: 14-Allan Simonsen, 15-Henrik Andersen

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Denmark	5	3	0	2	8	4	4	6
2	USSR	6	2	2	2	10	8	2	6
3	Ireland	6	2	2	2	4	4	0	6
4	Switzerland	6	2	2	2	4	9	-5	6
5	Norway	5	1	2	2	2	3	-1	4

October 9, 1985 (Copenhagen) (Denmark 0-Switzerland 0)

October 16, 1985 (Oslo) (Norway 1-Denmark 5)

October 16, 1985

USSR 2-Republic of Ireland 0

Venue: Moscow (Lenin Stadium)

Attendance: 100,000

Referee: Paolo Casarin (Italy)

Goalscorers:

(USSR): Fyodor Cherenkov 61, Oleg Protasov 90

(Republic of Ireland): None

Lineups:

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain), 2-Gennadi Morozov, 3-Aleksandr Chivadze, 4-Anatoli Demianenko, 5- Aleksandr Bubnov, 7-Sergei Gotsmanov,  6-Alexander Zavarov (12-Vladimir Bessonov 84^th), 8-Fyodor Cherenkov,  9-Sergei Aleinikov,  10-Oleg Protasov,  11-Oleg Blokhin (15-Georgiy Kondratiev 55^th)

Booked: Sergei Aleinikov 44

Other Subs: 13-Gennadi Litovchenko, 14-Yuri Gavrilov, 16-Mikhail Mikhailov

Republic of Ireland:

1-Seamus McDonagh, 2-Chris Hughton,  5-David O'Leary, 8-Mark Lawrenson, 4-Mick McCarthy, 3-Jim Beglin (13-Kevin O'Callaghan 79^th), 7-Gary Waddock, 11-Tony Grealish (14-Ronnie Whelan 71^st), 6-Liam Brady,  10-Frank Stapleton (captain), 9-Tony  Cascarino

Coach: Eoin Hand

Other Subs: 12-Kevin Moran, 15-John Byrne, 16-Pat Bonner

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Denmark	7	4	1	2	13	5	8	9
2	USSR	7	3	2	2	12	8	4	8
3	Switzerland	7	2	3	2	4	9	-5	7
4	Ireland	7	2	2	3	4	6	-2	6
5	Norway	6	1	2	3	3	8	-5	4

October 30, 1985

USSR 1-Norway 0

Venue: Moscow (Lenin Stadium)

Attendance: 45,000

Referee: Brian McGinlay (Scotland)

Goalscorers:

(USSR): Georgiy Kondratiev 58

(Norway): None

Lineups:

USSR:

1-Rinat Dassayev (captain),2- Gennadi Morozov, 3-Aleksandr Chivadze, 4-Anatoli Demianenko,  5-Aleksandr Bubnov, 7-Sergei Gotsmanov,  6-Alexander Zavarov, 8-Fyodor Cherenkov, 9- Sergei Aleinikov (Vladimir Bessonov 46^th), 10-Oleg Protasov (Yuri Gavrilov 85^th), 11-Georgiy Kondratiev 

Norway:

Erik Thordsvet, Hans Herman Henriksen, Terje Kojedal, Aage Hareide, Per Edmund Mordt, Vidar Davidsen, Kai Erik Herlovsen, Tom Sundby, Jorn Andersen (Sverre Brandhaug 75^th), Arne Larsen-Oakland,  Hallvar Thoresen

Coach: Tor-Roste Fossen

Other Subs: Ola By Rise, Arne Erlandsen,  Trond Sollied, Goran Sorloth

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	USSR	8	4	2	2	13	8	5	10
2	Denmark	7	4	1	2	13	5	8	9
3	Switzerland	7	2	3	2	4	9	-5	7
4	Ireland	7	2	2	3	4	6	-2	6
5	Norway	7	1	2	4	3	9	-6	4

November 13, 1985 (Dublin) (Republic of Ireland 1-Denmark 4)

November 13, 1985 (Luzern) (Switzerland 1-Norway 1)

Table		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Denmark	8	5	1	2	17	6	11	11
2	USSR	8	4	2	2	13	8	5	10
3	Switzerland	8	2	4	2	5	10	-5	8
4	Ireland	8	2	2	4	5	10	-5	6
5	Norway	8	1	3	4	4	10	-6	5

P-Played, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Loss, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, GD-Goal Difference, Pts-Points

USSR players during the qualification matches

Goalkeeper:

Rinat Fayzrahmanovich Dassayev (Spartak Moskva)               

Defenders:

Tengiz Grigoriyevich Sulakvelidze (Dinamo Tblissi)

Aleksandr Gavrilovich Chivadze  (Dinamo Tblissi)

Sergey Pavlovich Baltacha (Dinamo Kiev)

Anatoli Vassilievich Demianenko (Dinamo Kiev)

Aleksandr Viktorovich Bubnov (Spartak Moskva)

Boris Aleksandrovich Pozdniakov (Spartak Moskva)

Ivan Yevgenyevich Vishnevskiy (Dniper Dniepropetrvovsk)

Gennadi Vladimirovich Morozov (Spartak Moskva)

Midfielders/strikers :

Sergei Yevgenyevich Aleinikov (Dinamo Minsk)

Vladimir Vassilievich Bessonov (Dinamo Kiev)

Andrei Vikentiyevich Zygmantovich (Dinamo Minsk)

Gennadi Vladimirovich Litovchenko (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk)

Khoren Zhoraevich Oganesian (Ararat Erevan) 

Sergei Anatoliyevich Gotsmanov (Dinamo Minsk)

Nikolai Yevgeniyevich Larionov (Zenit Leningrad)

Yuri Vassilievich Gavrilov (Spartak Moskva) 

Georgiy Petrovich Kondratiev (Dinamo Minsk) 

Fyodor Fedorovich Cherenkov (Spartak Moskva)

Oleg Vladimirovich Blokhin (Dinamo Kiev)

Alexander Anatolyevich Zavarov (Dinamo Kiev)

Igor Ivanovich Belanov (Dinamo Kiev)

Sergei Yuriyevich Rodionov (Spartak Moskva)

Oleg Valeriyevich Protasov (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk)

         

Coach: Eduard Vasilievich Malofeyev