Nigeria rally from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Russia

Nigeria scored twice in the final 12 minutes to recover from a 3-1 deficit and draw 3-3 with Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday. Akor Adams completed the comeback in the fourth minute of stoppage time, denying the hosts a victory after they had controlled much of the second half. Kelechi Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead after 10 minutes with a strike from outside the box, according to Channels Television.

Russia equalised through Lechi Sadulaev in the 30th minute, with Channels attributing the goal to a defensive mix-up in the Nigerian defence. Matvey Kislyak then put Russia in front in first-half stoppage time. The hosts extended their lead nine minutes into the second half, when Aleksey Miranchuk made it 3-1.

Premium Times described Nigeria as facing another disappointing result before the late recovery began. Peter Edokpolor was credited by Punch Nigeria and Premium Times with reducing the deficit in the 78th minute. Channels Television identified the scorer as Osayande Edokpolor, a difference the reports do not resolve, but all three accounts agree that the goal made it 3-2 and set up a tense finish.

Russia could not add to its advantage as Nigeria continued pressing. Channels reported that the decisive move began with Emmanuel Fernandez, who started a counter-attack before Umar Abdullahi supplied Adams for the equaliser. Punch and Premium Times both placed Adams’ goal in the 94th minute.

The draw leaves Nigeria unbeaten in the countries’ two reported meetings. Their previous encounter, in Moscow in June 2025, ended 1-1. The friendly also provided a more positive ending to an international window that had begun with Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Nigeria entered the match with a weakened squad. Punch said captain Wilfred Ndidi was among the missing regulars, while injuries, club restrictions and other withdrawals reduced the available group. Channels reported that seven players missed the game because of club restrictions, travel documentation and injuries, and said nine players made their Super Eagles debuts.

The reports also differed in the amount of detail about Russia’s recent form. Punch and Premium Times highlighted a 6-0 victory over Namibia, while Channels also cited a 2-0 win over Iran. All agreed that Russia arrived in stronger recent form than Nigeria and surrendered a two-goal lead late in the match.

Channels said Nigeria will return to action in November for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. For coach Éric Chelle, the late fightback provided an opportunity to assess a youthful, depleted squad and gave the team encouragement after a difficult result in the previous fixture.