The Super Eagles of Nigeria staged a remarkable late comeback to secure a 3-3 draw against Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday.

Nigeria twice found themselves trailing by two goals but fought back strongly in the second half to rescue a draw, with Akor Adams scoring a stoppage-time equaliser to deny the hosts victory.

Kelechi Iheanacho put the Super Eagles ahead in the 10th minute, giving Nigeria an early advantage against a Russian side that had entered the encounter in impressive form.

The hosts responded in the 30th minute when Lechi Sadulaev found the equaliser to make it 1-1.

Russia then completed the turnaround in first-half stoppage time, with Matvey Kislyak scoring to give the hosts a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

Alexey Miranchuk increased Russia’s advantage nine minutes after the restart, scoring in the 54th minute to put the hosts 3-1 ahead and leave Nigeria facing a difficult task.

The Super Eagles, however, refused to surrender and began their fightback in the closing stages of the match.

Peter Edokpolor reduced the deficit in the 78th minute, giving Nigeria renewed hope of salvaging a result from the encounter.

The pressure eventually paid off in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Akor Adams scored the equaliser to complete Nigeria’s comeback and secure a 3-3 draw.

The result means Nigeria remain unbeaten against Russia after the two countries’ second meeting. Their first encounter ended in a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.

The Nigeria Football Federation had described Tuesday’s encounter as the second meeting between both countries in 16 months.

The Super Eagles entered the friendly seeking a positive response after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Nigeria were also without several key players for the encounter. Captain Wilfred Ndidi was among the notable absentees, while injuries and club restrictions prevented several other players from joining the squad.

The NFF had said the circumstances had “seriously weakened” the squad ahead of the friendly.

Russia, meanwhile, came into the game with confidence after recording a convincing 6-0 victory over Namibia in their previous friendly.

Despite falling behind twice and conceding three goals, Nigeria’s resilience in the closing stages ensured the Super Eagles avoided another defeat and ended the international window on a positive note.

The comeback will provide some encouragement for the Nigerian side as preparations continue for upcoming competitive fixtures.

because of his status, says Jorge Jesus
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has said the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s unused warm-up against Norway escalated largely because of the forward’s status as a national icon.

The incident occurred during Portugal’s recent Nations League match against Norway, when Ronaldo was sent to warm up for an extended period in the second half but was ultimately not introduced into the game.

Speaking after Portugal’s Nations League fixture on Sunday, Jesus described the situation as one that had been blown out of proportion, stressing that similar incidents involving other players rarely attract the same level of attention.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who reported Jesus’ comments on X on Monday, the Portugal coach said the episode should not be allowed to damage his relationship with Ronaldo.

“In my opinion, you can’t hold a one-year friendship against someone over a situation that is difficult to understand,” Jesus said.

He argued that the controversy gained prominence primarily because Ronaldo is one of the most recognisable figures in Portuguese football.

“Just because it was him. Just because it was him, and perhaps rightly so, because he is a symbol, this whole issue of warming up and not warming up, coming on and not coming on, has been created,” the coach said.

Jesus further questioned why Ronaldo’s situation had generated such widespread discussion when substitutes regularly warm up without eventually entering matches.

“How many players warmed up today and didn’t come on? How many? Is there going to be a problem with any of them? No,” he said.

The controversy emerged after Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp following the team’s 2-1 victory over Norway.

The 41-year-old forward had been instructed to prepare for a possible appearance during the second half but remained on the bench until the final whistle.

Ronaldo had started Portugal’s previous match against Wales before being substituted, making his subsequent unused appearance against Norway a subject of considerable discussion.

Jesus, who previously worked with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, has repeatedly sought to play down reports of a serious breakdown in their relationship.

The Portugal coach has characterised the incident as a misunderstanding and has indicated that Ronaldo could return to the national team in future squads if he decides to continue his international career.

Jesus also maintained that Ronaldo’s status does not exempt him from the coach’s tactical decisions, insisting that the needs of the team remain the priority.

The development comes as Portugal continues preparations for its upcoming international commitments, with attention likely to remain on Ronaldo’s relationship with the national team and his future involvement under Jesus.

Despite the controversy, Jesus’ latest comments suggest that he considers the matter capable of being resolved without permanently affecting his relationship with Portugal’s captain.

Galatasaray and Portugal forward Rafa Leão has revealed the special significance of wearing the No. 7 shirt, saying the famous jersey allows him to honour his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Leão, who has worn the number during his career, said Ronaldo’s influence on him began from childhood and made wearing the shirt particularly meaningful.

“It’s been special for me to wear the No. 7 shirt because Cristiano is my idol since I was a child,” Leão said, according to a report by Fabrizio Romano on Saturday.

Beyond his admiration for Ronaldo, Leão said the number also carries a personal significance for his family, as his children were born on the seventh day of the month.

“My kids were also born on the 7th, so I am so happy,” he added.

The Portuguese forward said he has made efforts to respect the history and significance associated with the shirt while expressing satisfaction with Portugal’s victory.

“I tried my best to respect this number, this shirt. I am happy with the win,” Leão said.

The No. 7 shirt has long been associated with Ronaldo, who wore the number for Portugal and several of his clubs, helping make it one of the most recognisable numbers in modern football.

Leão’s comments came after Portugal secured a convincing victory over Denmark, with João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and João Félix among the players who found the net.

For Leão, however, the occasion carried an additional personal meaning as he continues to wear a number closely connected to the player who inspired him as a young footballer.