Iheanacho, Edokpolor and Akor Adams Score as Depleted Nigeria Fight Back in Nizhny Novgorod
The Super Eagles came from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw against Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday.
Nigeria took the lead in the 10th minute through Kelechi Iheanacho, who fired into the net from outside the box.
Russia equalised through Lechi Sadulaev in the 30th minute before Matvey Kislyak put the hosts ahead shortly before half-time.
Aleksey Miranchuk extended Russia’s lead in the 54th minute to make it 3-1.
The Super Eagles responded through debutant Peter Edokpolor, whose 78th-minute effort reduced the deficit and gave Nigeria hope of a comeback.
Nigeria completed the fightback in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Akor Adams finished a counter-attack to secure the 3-3 draw.
The Super Eagles went into the match with a depleted squad following injuries, club-related restrictions and other withdrawals after their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Nine players made their Super Eagles debut in the encounter, as coach Éric Chelle used the friendly to assess a youthful and heavily changed squad.
Nigeria had previously drawn 1-1 with Russia in Moscow in June 2025.