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!
Russia vs Nigeria latest news
- GOAL! Arokodare pounces on Sofanov mistake to equalise for Nigeria
- GOAL! Ajayi puts the ball into his own net to give Russia the lead
Nigeria come from behind to earn draw
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria 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!
FULL-TIME
20:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRussia 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.
Russia 1-1 Nigeria
19:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 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.
Russia 1-1 Nigeria
19:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne87 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.
Russia 1-1 Nigeria
19:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne83 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.
Russia 1-1 Nigeria
19:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 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.
Russia 1-1 Nigeria
19:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Another Nigeria change as Uche is replaced by Olusegun.
Russia on the attack but Gladyshev puts his effort into the side netting.
Russia 1-1 Nigeria
19:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne72 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!
GOAL! Russia 1-1 Nigeria | Tolu Arokodare '71
19:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 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!
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 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.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Dele-Bashiru draws a foul and wins a free-kick in a promising position for Nigeria.
Simon and Osayi-Samuel standing over this, the latter swings in a nice delivery to the back post looking for Ajayi but Russia defend the set-piece well.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Boniface has been replaced for Nigeria. Arokodare has taken over as the focal point up front.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: Here come the Russia changes, first.
ON: Barinov, Gladyshev
OFF: Miranchuk, Glushenkov
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: Looks like changes for both teams are imminent.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne57 min: Onyemaechi has to be careful, just been booked and he goes flying into another tackle and doesn’t get the ball.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Onyemaechi is booked for pulling back Vakhaniya. The Nigeria left-back was left with no option as the Russia defender was away and gone.
Free-kick comes in and Melekhin is left unmarked with just Okoye to beat but he puts the ball over the bar.
Poor miss. He may have been offside, but no sign of the flag.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: First sight of goal for Boniface as he gets his head to Uche’s cross, though his effort lacks any power and Sofanov makes a rather comfortable save.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne50 min: Nigeria try to play out from the back and are almost caught out but Krugovoy is adjudged to have controlled the ball with his arm and the Super Eagles breathe a massive sign of relief.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: First attempt of the second half falls to Russia but Glushenkov wildly blasts the ball over the bar from a promising position.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
19:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Back underway in the second half and Russia have made the first change of the game.
Sadulaev has replaced Mostovoy.
HALF-TIME
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRussia 1-0 Nigeria
Hosts ahead at the break thanks to an own goal from Semi Ajayi.
It has not been a great half by any means but Nigeria are unlucky not to be on level terms as PSG goalkeeper Sofanov made a wonderful save to keep out Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s effort.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
18:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Just the one minute of additional time.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Excellent defending from Troost-Ekong as he does enough to prevent Komlichenko making clean contact with Batrakov’s cross.
The Nigeria captain then leaves Mostovoy in a heap on the ground following an aerial battle.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
18:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Time for Russia’s attacking players to combine as Glushenkov, picks out Mostovoy’s run from out to in and his shot hits the side-netting.
From the reaction inside the ground, a lot of Russia fans thought that was in.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: WHAT A SAVE
Nigeria are in, Dele-Bashiru is clean through but is denied by an outstanding save by Safonov.
Strong hand from the Russia goalkeeper to tip the ball over the bar.
38 min: Dele-Bashiru’s run is halted by a sliding tackle from Glebov.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
18:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Not a great deal in terms of a response from Nigeria since going a goal down. The front four are struggling to get in the game.
Here come Nigeria down the right, but they end up going backwards and sidewards allowing Russia to get back into a defensive shape.
Russia 1-0 Nigeria
18:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: What a difference a week makes. Last Wednesday, Ajayi forced an own goal in Nigeria’s win over Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final.
This evening the tables have been turned. In fairness to the defender, Komlichenko was lurking right behind him for a tap-in, so a goal was the most likely outcome regardless.
GOAL! Russia 1-0 Nigeria | Semi Ajayi (own goal) '27
18:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: GOALLLLLL
Russia take the lead, superb wing play from Krugovoy on the left as he gets to the byline, puts the ball into a dangerous area and Ajayi can’t help but turn the ball into his own net.
Russia 0-0 Nigeria
18:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: Maksim Glushenkov is wearing number 67 for Russia this evening. It’s not often you see that at international level.
In fact, this might be the first time ever!
Russia 0-0 Nigeria
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: Miranchuk has the back of his ankle trodden on, that looked a sore one but he is fine to carry on.
Great ball into the box by Mostovoy but a great defensive clearance takes the ball off Komlichenko’s jead.
From the resulting corner, Nigeria manage to avoid conceding and Osipenko is booked for a dangerous tackle on Troost-Ekong.
Russia 0-0 Nigeria
18:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne14 min: Decent opening on the counter-attack for Nigeria but Onyemaechi pulls the ball back beyond the onrushing attackers and Russia are able to clear.
Russia 0-0 Nigeria
18:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne12 min: Nigeria enjoying a spell of possession but everything is more or less in front of Russia who a defending compactly.
Russia 0-0 Nigeria
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Cagey start to the game, neither side has mustered an attempt on goal yet.
KICK-OFF!
18:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this international friendly!
Here we go!
17:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRight, the teams have made their way out to the pitch.
Time to hear the national anthems before kick-off!
Latest match odds
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRussia to win: 7/10
Draw: 23/10
Nigeria to win: 18/5
Odds via Betfair and subject to change
Not long now
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAround 10 minutes to until kick-off in this evening’s international friendly.
Nigeria team in full
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria XI: Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Onyedika, Uche, Dele-Bashiru, Boniface, Simon.
Subs: Obasogie, Ogbu, Fredrick, Sodiq, Daniel, Saviour, Olusegun, Arokodare, Sikiru
Russia team in full
17:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRussia XI: Safonov; Vakhaniya, Osipenko, Melekhin, Krugovoy; Batrakov, Glebov, Miranchuk; Glushenkov, Komlichenko, Mostovoy.
Subs: Lunev, Mitryushkin, Adamov, Gorshkov, Paltsev, Ibishev, Abdulkadyrov, Barinov, Prutsev, Sadulaev, Shchetinin, Kislyak, Pinyaev, Gladyshev, Sergeev
Russia XI
17:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd here is the Russia starting line-up.
PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov gets the nod in between the posts.
Сафонов – капитан, Глушенков и Миранчук начнут с первых минут 🔥
— Сборная России (@TeamRussia) June 6, 2025
Наш стартовый состав на игру #РоссияНигерия 🇷🇺🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/JTN8HWix8K
CONFIRMED NIGERIA XI
17:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Nigeria team to face Russia...
🇳🇬🦅 Super Eagles Starting XI vs. Russia
— The Super Eagles & Falcons of Nigeria (@NG_Eagles) June 6, 2025
Head coach Eric Chelle has announced the starting lineup for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia, set to kick off at 6:00 PM Nigerian time today at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/lA26zRzM5b
Pre-match walk
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Nigeria squad on their pre-match walk earlier today...
Team Walk 🦅🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/HaWwlvWq90
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 6, 2025
Tonight’s kick-off times from around the world...
Where are you watching from?
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 6, 2025
Catch the action live on the link below… #SoarSuperEagles https://t.co/BGYmqvO7Bd pic.twitter.com/iAxiwmQcQK
Russia vs Nigeria prediction
16:42 , George FloodRussia, still technically the Football Union of Russia, have been banned by FIFA and UEFA since February 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine and have not played a competitive fixture since a 1-0 loss to Croatia in a World Cup qualifier back in November 2021.
However, they have played a series of friendlies since then, winning most of them heavily without conceding - including back-to-back 5-0 victories over Grenada and Zambia in March.
A repeat of that sort of performance tonight could make life very difficult indeed for a heavily weakened Super Eagles outfit, but we’re backing Nigeria to return home with a hard-fought draw as they prepare for a couple of must-win World Cup qualifiers in September.
1-1 draw.
Nigeria team news
16:26 , George FloodAs at the recent Unity Cup, Nigeria remain without many of their biggest names including striker and talisman Victor Osimhen.
There have also been a number of withdrawals since last week’s success at Brentford, including Kelechi Iheanacho, Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and Stanley Nwabali.
Captain William Troost-Ekong and Fenerbahce full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel are with the squad, however, as is Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface.
Udinese’s Maduka Okoye is set for his chance in goal, while Krasnodar’s Olakunle Olusegun will hope to earn his first cap after a maiden call-up this week.
Revised List for Friendly vs Russia #SoarSuperEagles 🦅🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/KWtA7kpmjl
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 2, 2025
How to watch Russia vs Nigeria
16:19 , George FloodTV channel and live stream: There are many ways to watch tonight’s contest, including via the M4S TV app.
Russia vs Nigeria live
16:17 , George FloodGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Russia vs Nigeria.
The Super Eagles are riding high after their victory in last week’s Unity Cup competition in west London as they now head for a first-ever friendly meeting with Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Kick-off this evening is at 6pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up plus all the latest team news and live updates.
