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.
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.
Contents
Head to head record
Records
Largest scores by Spartak: 5–1 (1940); 4–0 (1955, 1958).
Largest scores by Dynamo: 4–1 (1950, 1966, 1972, 2008 [twice]); 3–0 (1968, 1978, 2008).
Most goals scored in a single match: 7 (4–3) (1957)
Streaks
Longest Spartak winning streaks
(1941-06-12) (1946-06-23)12 June 1941 – 23 June 1946: 5 (4 league + 1 cup match).
(1951-10-01) (1954-04-16)1 October 1951 – 16 April 1954: 5 (4 league + 1 cup match).
(1987-09-20) (1989-10-23)20 September 1987 – 23 October 1989: 5 (all league).
Longest Spartak lossless streak
(1937-10-18) (1950-08-15)18 October 1937 – 15 August 1950: 14 wins + 9 ties in 18 league + 5 cup matches.
Longest Dynamo winning streak
(1975-08-22) (1978-10-15)22 August 1975 – 15 October 1978: 6 (all league).
Longest Dynamo lossless streak
(1964-04-27) (1968-10-12)27 April 1964 – 12 October 1968: 9 wins + 5 ties in 14 league + 4 cup matches.
Major honours
Other includes Football Cup of the Ukrainian SSR and Football Championship of the Ukrainian SSR.