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?