(Reuters) - Russia eased to a 2-0 win over Iraq in a friendly on Sunday as they played their first international match on home soil since November 2021 after being barred from global competitions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Substitute Anton Miranchuk fired Russia ahead shortly after halftime, pouncing on a rebound after Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan Hachim parried Alexander Sobolev's low shot to his right.
Sergei Pinyaev then grabbed a stylish second, exploiting Iraq's high defensive line, before cutting in from the left and squeezing a low shot to the goalkeeper's right. The hosts dominated possession but struggled to make it pay in the first half, with Ayman Hussein and Ibrahim Bayesh squandering good opportunities for the visitors.
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. Both European soccer body UEFA and global football's governing body FIFA decided in February 2022 that all Russian teams - national or club sides - would be suspended from their competitions following the invasion.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Soccer-Russia host Iraq in first home match since invasion of Ukraine(Reuters) - Russia's men's team will host their first match on home soil since November 2021 on Sunday, a friendly against Iraq in St Petersburg, having been kicked out of international competition because of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Read more »
Russia host Iraq in first home match since Ukraine warRussia host Iraq in first home match since Ukraine war FMTNews FMTSports
Read more »
Russia presses along Ukraine front after reports of Bakhmut slowdownKYIV, March 25 ― Russian forces attacked northern and southern stretches of the front in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region yesterday, even as Kyiv said Moscow's...
Read more »
Russia pardons 5,000 former criminals after fighting in Ukraine, Prigozhin saysMOSCOW, March 25 — More than 5,000 former criminals have been pardoned after finishing their contracts to fight in Russia’s Wagner mercenary group against Ukraine, the founder...
Read more »
PBB bimbang hukuman mati, penganiayaan tawanan perang Russia-UkrainePertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) sangat bimbang dengan dakwaan hukuman mati dan aniaya tawanan perang oleh kedua-dua tentera,
Read more »
Tenis tegang angkara perang Ukraine, RussiaMarta Kostyuk dari Ukraine enggan berjabat tangan dengan Anastasia Potapova selepas dia disingkirkan oleh pemain Russia itu pada pusingan kedua tenis Terbuka Miami semalam.
Read more »