Russia beats Iraq 2-0 in a friendly on Sunday in their first international match on home soil since November 2021.
Remember that the Russians were banned in February 2022 by both FIFA and UEFA from continental and global matches over Moscow’s attack on Ukraine.
After halftime, Anton Miranchuk blasted Russia forward briefly, pouncing on a rebound after Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan Hachim parried Alexander Sobolev’s low shot to his right.
Sergei Pinyaev then snatched a smart second goal, becoming Russia’s youngest ever goalscorer at 18 years, four months and 24 days.
Official attendance at the 68,000-seater Gazprom Arena was 23,818. The stadium had been due to host last year’s Champions League final before Russia was stripped of that honour.
