A late Akor Adams strike saw the Super Eagles complete a dramatic comeback to force Russia to a 3-3 draw in Tuesday’s international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, completesport.com reports.
Also on target for the Super Eagles were Kelechi Iheanacho, who was making a return and Benfica 19-year-old debutant Peter Edokpolor.
It is now back-to-back draws for the Super Eagles against Russia, after their first encounter, also a friendly, ended 1-1 in 2025.
The draw halted Russia’s run of four straight wins, scoring 14 goals without conceding.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle named a largely experimental starting lineup which only had Iheanacho and Moses Simon as the only experienced players.
Other players in the starting eleven were debutants Samuel James (in goal), Chibuzor Nwoko, Wilfred Igor, Aderemi Adeoye, Isaac James, Stephen Michael, the returning Benjamin Frederick, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Abdullahi Bewene
Despite being on the back foot for most parts of the first half, it was the Super Eagles who took a shock lead on 10 minutes through Iheanacho, who received a pass from Bewene before hitting a low left foot strike into the net.
Russia went close to drawing level on 14 minutes after a poor back pass by left-back James, but the goal-bound effort from the Russian player came off his own teammate.
In the 25th minute Russia went close again after a dangerous cross was floated into the Super Eagles box but Fernandez made a timely block.
But Russia’s persistent attack eventually paid off on 30 minutes thanks to Lechi Sadulaev, who slotted past James, after Fernandez was dispossessed of the ball close to the Super Eagles box.
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Two minutes later Russia almost went in front but James made a good save to stop a header.
Matvey Kislyak then made it 2-1 in the second minute of first half added time as he slotted in a low cross from the left wing.
Before the start of the second half Chelle made two changes, with Adams and another debutant Abdullahi Umar coming on for Iheanacho and Michael.
The change did not yield much as Russia went 3-1 up as Aleksey Miranchuk’s low strike inside the box slipped underneath James after the home team had neatly carved the Super Eagles defence open with good interchange of passes.
It was Russia from then on as they kept the Super Eagles pinned back in their own half but could not extend their lead.
With 20 minutes left Chelle introduced Edokpolor and Abubakar for Simon and Adeoye and the change paid off as the former reduced the deficit with a brilliant individual goal.
After receiving the ball on the left wing, Edokpolor beat his marker then fired a shot which took a deflection before ending in the back of the net.
The goal spurred the Super Eagles on and they were close to drawing level on 91 minutes, through Abubakar who dribbled past his marker inside the box but saw his shot saved by keeper.
But in the 94th minute the Super Eagles made it 3-3 thanks to Adams who slotted home Abubakar’s beautiful laid pass inside the box.
Russia almost grabbed a late winner but a header off a cross went just over the bar.
By James Agberebi
