Nigeria’s largely new-look Super Eagles recovered from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Kelechi Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead after 10 minutes, but Russia turned the match around through Lechi Sadulaev in the 30th minute, Matvey Kislyak in first-half stoppage time and Aleksey Miranchuk nine minutes after the break.
The Super Eagles responded late, with 19-year-old debutant Peter Edokpolor scoring in the 78th minute before Akor Adams equalised in the 94th.
The result extended a history of memorable Nigerian fightbacks after conceding twice.
Nigeria 2-2 Malawi, 1984 AFCON
Nigeria began the 1984 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire with a 2-1 victory over Ghana before meeting Malawi in their second Group B game.
Malawi, who had lost 3-0 to Algeria in their opening match, stunned the Super Eagles by taking a 2-0 lead through goals in the seventh and 35th minutes.
Clement Temile restored parity with goals in the 39th and 41st minutes. The draw helped Nigeria finish second in the group and qualify for the semi-finals alongside winners Algeria.
Nigeria 2-2 Egypt, 1984 AFCON semi-final
Egypt looked in control after scoring in the 25th and 38th minutes of the semi-final.
Nigeria reduced the deficit two minutes before half-time when Stephen Keshi converted a penalty. Bala Ali then equalised in the 75th minute.
The Super Eagles went on to win 8-7 on penalties and reach the final, where they were beaten 3-1 by Cameroon, who claimed their first AFCON title.
Nigeria 2-2 Cameroon, 2000 AFCON final
The 2000 AFCON final, co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, brought the Super Eagles and Cameroon together for the third time in the competition’s showpiece, after the 1984 and 1988 finals had both been won by Cameroon.
Samuel Eto’o opened the scoring in the 26th minute and Patrick Mboma added a second five minutes later.
Raphael Chukwu pulled one back in the 45th minute, while Austin Okocha equalised with a powerful left-foot shot two minutes into the second half.
Cameroon again prevailed over Nigeria, winning 4-3 on penalties.
Nigeria 2-2 South Africa, 2015 AFCON qualifier
Nigeria needed to beat already-qualified South Africa in their final qualifying group match in Uyo.
Instead, Tokelo Rantie scored in the 42nd and 48th minutes to put the visitors 2-0 ahead. Sone Aluko halved the deficit in the 68th minute before scoring again in the 94th to level the match.
The comeback was not enough. Congo Brazzaville’s 1-0 away victory over Sudan on the final day meant Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON.
Nigeria 4-2 Argentina, 2017 friendly
Argentina led 2-0 in Krasnodar, Russia, after Ever Banega scored in the 27th minute and Sergio Aguero struck nine minutes later. Lionel Messi did not play, but Argentina also fielded Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Paulo Dybala, Nicolas Otamendi and Giovani Lo Celso.
Iheanacho’s free-kick made it 2-1 in the 44th minute. Alex Iwobi equalised seven minutes into the second half, and debutant Brian Idowu put Nigeria ahead.
Iwobi completed the comeback with his second goal in the 73rd minute as the three-time African champions won 4-2.