“The third is ridiculous” – Karpin furious after Super Eagles shatter Russia’s 5-year record

Valery Karpin was left fuming after Nigeria Super Eagles' remarkable late comeback denied Russia victory at the Sovcombank Arena in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday.

Interestingly, that six-goal thriller also ended a five-year wait for the hosts to concede three goals in a single international match.

The Super Eagles recovered from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 against Russia, with Akor Adams striking in the fourth minute of added time to complete a stunning rescue mission.

Kelechi Iheanacho had given Nigeria an early lead in the 10th minute before Lechi Sadulaev equalised 20 minutes later. Matvey Kislyak then put Russia ahead in first-half stoppage time, while Alexei Miranchuk stretched the advantage to 3-1 nine minutes after the interval.

Benfica youngster Peter Edokpolor reduced the deficit in the 78th minute before Adams produced the decisive late intervention.

The result brought Russia’s four-match winning run to an end and, more significantly, saw them concede three goals for the first time since Euro 2020.

Super Eagles: Karpin dismisses three-goal collapse as ‘accident'

Karpin refused to dress up the defensive failure, but his assessment of Nigeria’s three goals was strikingly blunt.

Asked how he viewed Russia conceding three goals under his management for the first time, the Russian coach told Championat correspondent Andrei Pankov:

“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.”

Russia had not shipped three goals in one match since their 4-1 defeat by Denmark at the European Championship on June 21, 2021.

Russia had also entered the Nigeria clash after back-to-back clean-sheet victories over Iran and Namibia. The draw also ended Russia’s four-match winning streak, during which Karpin’s side had scored 14 goals without conceding.

Instead of following that boring script, the Super Eagles ripped open the final stages.

Edokpolor’s strike gave the Super Eagles a route back into the match, although the goal took a deflection off Kislyak before goalkeeper Alexander Maksimenko was unable to keep it out.

And in the fourth minute of stoppage time, another debutant Umar Abdullahi broke into space and supplied Adams, who beat Maksimenko to tie it at three-all. The equaliser was particularly painful for Russia because Maksimenko had just received treatment after taking a blow to the head.

Russia let Super Eagles escape, says Karpin

Karpin’s frustration went beyond the three goals conceded. Russia had the game under control with a two-goal advantage and had enough possession and territory to finish the contest. Yet Nigeria found the gaps when the pressure mattered most.

Asked why Russia failed to kill off the game, Karpin challenged the premise.

“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 said he never sensed the match was slipping away after Nigeria’s second 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.”

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle would not be bothered by Karpin's comments, especially after fielding a truck of youngsters on the night.

Missing the talents of Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman among several others, Chelle fielded a largely experimental side against Russia.

The Malian tactician handed nine youngsters their Super Eagles debuts against the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts. Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, and Emmanuel Fernandez were the only senior members of a team that had 12 players all below 23 years.