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Russia vs Nigeria LIVE!
The Super Eagles came from behind in Moscow in the first-ever senior international match against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium. Eric Chelle’s side were once again missing many of their star names including talisman striker Victor Osimhen, though were still able to build on winning the Unity Cup in west London last week.
Russia took the lead just before the half hour mark and slightly against the run of play, though the creation of the goal – albeit fortuitous – was sublime. Danil Krugovoy got forward from left-back and sent in a teasing cross intended for teammate Nikolay Komlichenko in the middle. However, Semi Ajayi couldn’t help but get the final touch as he sent the ball into his own net.
The lead should have doubled their lead early in the second half when Viktor Melekhin was left unmarked following a free-kick. But with just Maduka Okoye to beat, he side-footed an effort high and wide. That miss would comeback to haunt the hosts as Nigeria substitute Arokodare showed his best Osimhen impression by pouncing on a rare mistake from Matvey Safonov to equalise and end Russia’s eight game winning streak in the process. Follow the game back with Standard’s Sports blog below!
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Nigeria came from behind to earn a draw in a first-ever senior international match against Russia.
The Super Eagles arrived in Moscow full of confidence after winning the Unity Cup in west London last week, though they can perhaps take even more confidence at securing the result without several key names such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina.
Those absences did open the door for the likes of Victor Boniface and Christantus Uche to impress, but it was Tolu Arokodare who made the most of the opportunity and has staked a claim to start the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa later this year.
As for Valery Karpin’s Football Union of Russia, who have been suspended by FIFA and UEFA since October 2022, it’s the first time they have failed to win since October 2023 – a run that stretched across eight games.
Read our full match report here!
Russia 1-1 Nigeria
That’s it, it ends all square. Tolu Arokodare earns Nigeria a draw after the hosts lead at half-time through Semi Ajayi’s own goal.
Russia did have chances to win it late on but couldn’t find a way past Maduka Okoye.
90 min: BIG CHANCE
Russia pour forward in numbers, Barinov is in acres of space at the back post but he puts his effort over the bar. Was that the chance to win it?
Nigeria respond with a chance as Ogbu replaces Dele-Bashiru.
That is a change to shore things up at the back.
Four minutes of injury time has been signalled.
87 min: Latest Russia change sees Kislyak replace Glebov.
OH WHAT A SAVE! Okoye at full stretch keeps out Batrakov’s effort that was destined for the bottom corner.
83 min: Osayi-Samuel is incensed with a tackle on him, but the referee does well to calm down the situation as tempers threatened to boil over.
Glebov is booked for a foul.
81 min: Onyemaechi with another risky tackle that goes unpunished. A reminder he is on a yellow card.
Big chance for Russia from a corner as Barinov puts a free header over the bar.
76 min: Another Nigeria change as Uche is replaced by Olusegun.
Russia on the attack but Gladyshev puts his effort into the side netting.
72 min: Almost a perfect response from Russia as Okoye gets down low to make a good save before he prevents his side scoring another own goal.
Looks like an entertaining final 20 is in store!
71 min: GOALLLLLLL
Safonov will not want to see this one back as he plays the ball straight to Tolu Arokodare who makes no mistake from close range.
Just like that, Nigeria are level!
67 min: CLOSE!
From the resulting corner, Nigeria play it short before working the ball into the box. Ajayi is alert to a lose ball but Safonov is just as alert and he makes another fine stop.
Further changes for Russia as Adamov and Sergeev replace Vakhaniya and Komlichenko.
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