Karpin fumes as Super Eagles end Russia’s five-year defensive record
Russia coach Valery Karpin was left frustrated after Nigeria’s late fightback denied his side victory in a dramatic 3-3 draw in Nizhny Novgorod.
The Super Eagles came from two goals down to rescue a point, with Akor Adams scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time to complete a remarkable comeback.
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The result also ended Russia’s five-year wait to concede three goals in a single international match, with Karpin particularly critical of how his side allowed Nigeria back into the contest.
Nigeria erase Russia’s two-goal lead
Kelechi Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead in the 10th minute before Lechi Sadulaev equalised 20 minutes later.
Matvey Kislyak then turned the game around in first-half stoppage time, while Alexei Miranchuk added Russia’s third nine minutes after the restart.
Nigeria refused to fold, however, as Benfica youngster Peter Edokpolor pulled one back in the 78th minute.
Adams then completed the comeback deep into stoppage time after debutant Umar Abdullahi broke forward and supplied the striker, who beat goalkeeper Alexander Maksimenko to make it 3-3.
The draw ended Russia’s four-match winning streak, during which Karpin’s team had scored 14 goals without conceding.
It also marked the first time Russia had conceded three goals in an international since their 4-1 defeat to Denmark at Euro 2020 on June 21, 2021.
Asked about the defensive lapse, Karpin did not hold back.
“It was an accident, absolutely. The first goal was clear, it went into the near corner. And the third is just ridiculous to even mention.”
Karpin rues missed chances to finish game
Russia had entered the match with consecutive clean-sheet wins over Iran and Namibia and appeared on course for another victory after establishing a 3-1 advantage.
Karpin, however, said his players failed to put the game beyond Nigeria when they had the opportunity.
“Why didn’t they win? That’s the right answer. You have to finish off when the score is 1-1. They didn’t win because they weren’t paying attention in a few moments.”
The Russian coach also said he never felt his side had lost control after Edokpolor’s goal.
“No, there was no such premonition. We continued to dominate. We conceded another goal after an error on our own during a goal kick.”
For Nigeria, the comeback was particularly notable given the experimental nature of Chelle’s team.
With Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman among those unavailable, Chelle handed nine players their Super Eagles debuts.
Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Adams and Emmanuel Fernandez were the more experienced members of a side featuring 12 players aged below 23.
Despite falling 3-1 behind, the young Super Eagles capitalised on Russia’s late errors to leave Nizhny Novgorod with a point and deny the hosts what appeared to be a comfortable victory.