Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
More milestones for Lenin's old stadium
ASIF BURHAN tests the turf for the World Cup curtain-raiser

IT MAY not seem like it, but the Luzhniki Stadium has been the backdrop for many of the pivotal moments in our sporting consciousness. 

It was there that the sporting rivalry between Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett reached its zenith in 1980. Would Coe now be IAAF president had he not recovered to win the 1500m after losing his favoured 800m?

It was there that Cristiano Ronaldo missed a vital penalty in the 2008 Champions League Final shoot-out only to be reprieved by John Terry’s slip. Would Ronaldo be the icon he is now had he been responsible for Manchester United’s defeat?

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Ipswich Town's Liam Delap celebrates scoring their side's se
Men's Football / 29 September 2024
29 September 2024
Ipswich Town's Sammie Szmodics celebrates after scoring the
Men’s Football / 20 September 2024
20 September 2024
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna during the League Cup se
Men's Football / 13 September 2024
13 September 2024
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Ipswich Town's Ben Johnson (ri
Men’s football / 23 August 2024
23 August 2024
Johnson says key factor in move to Suffolk is opportunity to develop as player
Similar stories
Gianni Infantino
Men’s football / 23 April 2025
23 April 2025

JAMES NALTON discusses the use of dynamic ticket pricing at the 2026 World Cup and how it amplifies a culture already set up to squeeze as much money from fans as possible

England's Leah Williamson (centre) and team-mates acknowledg
Women’s Football / 23 January 2025
23 January 2025
Gary Lineker, March 21, 2021
Men’s football / 12 November 2024
12 November 2024
Head coach Emma Hayes of the United States gestures from the
Women's Football / 16 August 2024
16 August 2024