“Kelechi Iheanacho opens the scoring for Nigeria, assisted by Abdullahi Bewene, against the run of early Russian pressure.”
“Matvey Kislyak fires Russia 2-1 ahead right on the stroke of halftime, capping a strong spell of pressure.”
Pivotal“Aleksey Miranchuk extends Russia's lead to 3-1, finishing off a move started by Alexander Sobolev.”
Pivotal“Substitute Peter Edokpolor halves the deficit, giving Nigeria belief after a flurry of fresh legs from the bench.”
Pivotal“Akor Adams completes a stunning late comeback, slotting home the equalizer in stoppage time after Umar Abubakar's effort was saved.”
Pivotal
Russia
Nigeria
Russia looked to be cruising after goals either side of halftime from Matvey Kislyak and Aleksey Miranchuk turned an early scare into a 3-1 lead, with the hosts dominating possession at 62% and carving out three big chances to Nigeria's one. But the control shown in midfield, where Russia completed 526 passes at 86% accuracy, didn't translate into a ruthless finish to the game, and Nigeria's fresher legs off the bench changed everything. Peter Edokpolor pulled one back within minutes of arriving as a substitute, and Akor Adams - another second-half introduction - completed the leveler in the 90th minute, set up by fellow substitute Umar Abubakar. For Nigeria, it's a result that will feel like a statement of resilience despite being outplayed for long stretches and committing to a more combative approach, evidenced by their 18 tackles to Russia's 11. Russia, meanwhile, will be left to rue a second-half lapse in concentration that let a seemingly secure friendly win slip away in the closing stages.
How entertaining was this match?
Yellow card issued to Umar Abubakar.
Akor AdamsAkor Adams scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Umar Abubakar
Goal! Akor Adams scores to make it 3-3, assisted by Umar Abubakar.
Umar Abubakar takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Danil Prutsev is on, and Ivan Oblyakov is off.
On Vince Osuji, off Chibuzo Nwoko.
Alexey Batrakov takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Yellow card shown to Chibuzo Nwoko.
Mingiyan Beveev is on, and Viktor Melekhin is off.
Peter Edokpolor takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Goal! Peter Edokpolor scores, making it 3-2.
Konstantin Tyukavin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Umar Abubakar takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Umar Abubakar comes on for Moses Simon.
Substitution: Peter Edokpolor comes on for Aderemi Adeoye.
Maksim Glushenkov takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Maksim Glushenkov is on, and Aleksey Miranchuk is off.
Kirill Glebov is on, and Lechii Sadulaev is off.
Konstantin Tyukavin is on, and Alexander Sobolev is off.
Shot taken by Benjamin Fredrick, but he misses with a header.
Aleksey MiranchukAleksey Miranchuk takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Aleksandr Sobolev
Goal! Aleksey Miranchuk scores to make it 3-1, assisted by Alexander Sobolev.
Moses Simon takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Akor Adams comes on for Stephen Michael.
Abdullahi Umar replaces Kelechi Iheanacho.
Matvey KislyakMatvey Kislyak takes a left-footed shot and scores.
First half ends with a score of 2-1.
Goal! Matvey Kislyak scores, making it 2-1.
Alexander Sobolev takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
Lechi SadulaevYellow CardYellow card issued to Lechii Sadulaev.
Moses Simon takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Emmanuel Fernandez attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card issued to Ivan Oblyakov.
Kelechi Iheanacho takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Aleksey Miranchuk's header is saved.
Corner awarded.
Lechi SadulaevShot by Lechii Sadulaev with his right foot results in a goal.
assist: Matvey Kislyak
Goal! Lechii Sadulaev equalizes to make it 1-1, assisted by Matvey Kislyak.
Ivan Oblyakov takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Alexander Sobolev takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Maksim Osipenko takes a shot with his head but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Shot from Ivan Oblyakov with his left foot is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Alexander Sobolev takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Kelechi Iheanacho scores with a left-footed shot.
assist: Abdullahi Bewene
Goal! Kelechi Iheanacho scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Abdullahi Bewene.
Corner awarded.
Lechii Sadulaev takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Daniil Krugovoy takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Kick-off has occurred!
Russia host Nigeria at the Gazprom Arena in a friendly shaped more by absences than ambition, with Valery Karpin set to rotate heavily while Eric Chelle's Super Eagles arrive thinned out by a wave of late withdrawals. Expect an experimental look from both sides as fringe players chase a place in the pecking order.
