Spartak Moscow–Dynamo Kyiv rivalry
The Spartak Moscow – Dynamo Kyiv derby is a major international football rivalry between former Soviet giants Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Kyiv that developed in the Soviet Top League.
| Location | Soviet Union (former) UEFA (current) |
|---|---|
| Teams | Dynamo Kyiv Spartak Moscow |
| First meeting | 6 June 1936 1936 Soviet Top League Kyiv 1–3 Spartak |
| Latest meeting | 7 July 2013 2013 United Tournament Kyiv 2–1 Spartak |
| Next meeting | TBD |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 133 |
| Most wins | Spartak (52) |
| All-time series | Kyiv: 47 Drawn: 32 Spartak: 52 |
| Largest victory | Spartak 5–1 Kyiv (1940) |
A Spartak – Kyiv match often hosted the biggest crowd of all Soviet Top League matches, especially after the last league reorganization in 1970. The match became more popular even than the Oldest Russian derby between Dynamo Moscow and Spartak that had been the longest-running top event of the league since its establishment in 1936.
The two clubs were the most successful in the Soviet Top League, with Dynamo having won 13 titles to Spartak's 12. Spartak, however, has a better match record. As of 1 August 2008, of 132 matches Spartak have won 60 and lost 48.
The contest emerged as a derby in 1976, when Dynamo beat Spartak, relegating them from the top flight.
Besides the football competition, the derby has some political background in Russian-Ukrainian relations. This has been especially marked since 1991 when Ukraine became an independent state with its own football league. Russian clubs have been suspended from international play since 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leaving the rivalry currently defunct.