THE third stage of England's summer tour and pre-World Cup build up took them to Moscow in a game which also marked the 60th anniversary of the Soviet FA. England almost ruined the celebration and could have won handsomely but in the end they had to be content with a draw as bad luck and some inspired goalkeeping by Yashin saved the day for the Soviets.

After the previous week's thrashing at the hands of the Yugoslavs, England were anxious to regain some confidence for the following month's tournament. They certainly managed that with a very impressive display. Right from the start they moved forward confidently. Within 20 minutes they had put in at least six goalworthy attempts and could have had the game sewn up.

New midfield man Eddie Clamp made a very impressive debut and his club colleagues completed a dominating Wolverhampton half-back line. Billy Wright was his usual immaculate self and Bill Slater was the best player on view with his poise, artistry and speed of thought really making an impact with everyone watching.

Derek Kevan also hit back at the critics with a powerhouse showing. The Soviet central defenders found him a real handful and his battering ram style upset their normal composure. Four times the West Brom man came close to scoring in the first half only to be denied by Yashin or wayward shooting. Johnny Haynes and Tom Finney both shot narrowly wide and England's 200 traveling supporters could hardly understand why their team was not comfortably ahead.

Tommy Banks showed fire and solidity at left-back and Colin McDonald also looked the part in goal.

On the left wing, Finney was at his brilliant best. The form, so seldom seen at Wembley but loved by the Deepdale fans was now here for all to see. The Soviets had little answer to him and three, sometimes four, defenders were sent to challenge in some attacks. Finney was desperately unlucky when he met a Bryan Douglas corner only for his header to strike Yashin's post.

Then Finney took a corner and this time Bobby Robson saw his header also thud against a post. With only seconds of the half remaining. England at last scored the goal they so richly deserved.

More fine work by the tireless Clamp sent Douglas away. The winger sent over a perfect cross to the far post and there was Kevan to head down and under Yashin's despairing dive. Kevan, more than most, earned that goal.

After the break Russia came back briefly and McDonald saved well from Streltsov who was easily their most dangerous attacker. He gave Wright a tough time of it throughout. But England soon regained control and on the hour forced Yashin into the save of the match. Finney and Haynes combined again and, as Kevan made a decoy run, taking defenders with him, Finney cut inside to fire in a fierce shot. It looked a goal all the way but somehow Yashin extended one of his seemingly telescopic arms to turn the ball away for a wonderful save.

Kevan went close on two more occasions and with Wright and his fellow defenders comfortably holding the Soviet attack, it seemed odds on a memorable win. But with only 12 minutes left, the Soviets scored an equaliser they barely deserved. A swift move begun by Voinov was carried on by Falin. His long, high pass cleared Banks and found Ivanov, who brilliantly brought the ball under control before he hooked it past McDonald.

It was a bitter blow for England, although Clamp, still going strong at the end, almost restored the lead with a good shot that flew just over with Yashin groping.
  

For this final match before the World Cup finals, Eddie Clamp came in at right-half to make an all-Wolves half-back line with clubmates Billy Wright and Bill Slater. Colin McDonald took over in goal and Bolton's tough-tackling Tommy Banks was called in at left-back. After the jolting defeat in Yugoslavia, England gave a much more disciplined performance in the new Lenin Stadium and a Derek Kevan goal just before half-time gave them a draw against a Russian side rated one of the best in Europe. England might have won but for the goalkeeping of the great 'Man in Black' Lev Yashin, and the intervention of the woodwork when first Tom Finney and then Derek Kevan struck shots against a post. The shock after the match was that Brian Clough, Middlesbrough's untried goal master, was told he was not needed for the World Cup Party. Cloughie had scored 42 goals in League and Cup matches that season and was in red-hot form. Cloughie made no secret of his displeasure. It made no sense to most people that the selectors decided to leave behind not only Brian Clough, but also the vastly experienced Nat Lofthouse and the living legend Stanley Matthews. Lofty had been in devastating form in the FA Cup final against Manchester United when his two goals virtually won the trophy for Bolton. The selectors could also have considered the young Chelsea whizkid Jimmy Greaves. For some reason they chose to take only twenty players, when twenty-two were allowed in each Party. England arrived in Sweden just two days before the kick-off to the tournament and were hardly the best prepared team going into the finals.
  

Following the disastrous defeat at Belgrade, England's showing at Moscow was much more to their credit. Indeed they were unlucky not to win, for Robson and Finney both struck the post and there was some doubt concerning the legality of the Russian equaliser. Four changes were made, and in addition the change in outlook became quickly evident on the field. There was much more fight and spirit about the England players, and the goal by which they took the lead shortly before half-time was richly deserved. Kevan was the scorer, heading a Douglas cross just wide of the goalkeeper. During most of the second half England were on top, but Russia equalised ten minutes from time through a goal by Ivanov, a blow which restored equality to the score but did not take away the memory of England's fine display.