Nigeria’s young Super Eagles side fought back from a 3–1 deficit to secure a dramatic 3–3 draw against Russia.
Nigeria started brightly and struck first in the 10th minute, when Kelechi Iheanacho unleashed a composed left-footed effort from outside the box with a pass from Abdullahi Bewene to give the Super Eagles an early 1–0 lead.
Russia responded strongly after Nigeria’s bright start, with Lechi Sadulaev equalising before Matvey Kislyak gave the hosts a 2–1 lead at half-time. Aleksey Miranchuk then made it 3–1 nine minutes into the second half.
Nigeria’s substitutes changed the game. Nineteen-year-old debutant Peter Edokpolor pulled one back in the 78th minute with a powerful finish, after Umar Abdullahi had narrowly missed earlier.
The Super Eagles continued pressing for an equaliser, and their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time. Abdullahi set up substitute Akor Adams, who calmly finished in the 94th minute to complete the comeback.
Coach Éric Chelle had demanded victory from his much-changed team despite the absence of key players such as Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Although Nigeria missed out on victory, the young squad demonstrated remarkable “fighting spirit” to rescue a point.
The Super Eagles will next return to competitive action in November, when they face Tanzania in a 2027 AFCON qualifying double-header.
