Lev Yashin Video Showcase

Lev Ivanovich Yashin (October 22, 1929 - March 20, 1990) was a Russian Soviet football goalkeeper, known for his supreme athleticism in goal, imposing stature (he was 1.89 m, 6' 3") and amazing reflex saves.

He was voted the best goalkeeper of the 20th century by the IFFHS.

Yashin was born in Moscow in a family of industrial workers. Still twelve years old in summer of 1942, during World War II, he started to work as the helper at metal workshops.

He played his entire career for Dynamo Moscow sports club, from 1949 to 1971, winning the football championship of the USSR five times and the USSR Cup three times.

He also won a USSR ice hockey cup (1953) and was third in USSR hockey championship as a goalkeeper for HC Dynamo Moscow after three disastrous tryout attempts to get his place in the starting line-up of the main football team.

Yashin's club team-mate, rival and mentor was 'Tiger' Khomich, the keeper of the Soviet national team, who had become famous for his role in Dynamo Moscow's British tour. In 1954, Yashin was finally called up to the national team, with which he would win 78 caps and the titles at the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1960 European Championship.

As a member of the USSR team he played in three World Cup (1958, 1962 and 1966, below at Roker Park.) Always ready to give advice to his comrades, he even made his fourth trip to the World Cup finals in 1970 as the third-choice back-up and an aide.

Yashin is credited for four clean sheets out of 13 games played in WC finals. In 1971 in Moscow he played his last match for Dynamo Moscow against European stars.

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Photo author: In The Pursuit of Excellence from flickr.com