Germany, Russia salvage thrilling draws; England holds disappointing Brazil
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero collapsed in the dressing room at halftime before it lost 4-2 to fellow World Cup qualifier Nigeria after taking a two-goal lead in a friendly in Krasnodar, Russia on Tuesday.
Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli rested Lionel Messi following the 1-0 win over next year’s World Cup host Russia on Saturday and it seemed that it could cope without him.
Ever Banega curled in a free kick, awarded after Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi picked the ball up outside his area, in the 28th minute and Aguero finished off a sweeping counter-attack eight minutes later.
But Kelechi Iheanacho inspired Nigeria’s fightback.
First, he scored from a free kick on the stroke of halftime and then set up the equaliser by pulling the ball back for to net seven minutes after the re-start.
The Super Eagles took the lead two minutes after that when Brian Idowu sidefooted home from the edge of the area to finish off a counter attack.
A superb goal by Iwobi completed the comeback in the 73rd minute as he collected the ball, slipped it between Javier Mascherano’s legs and fired past Agustin Marchesin.
Meanwhile at Cologne, Germany’s Lars Stindl scored a last-gasp equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw against France in a friendly on Tuesday as the world champion stretched its unbeaten run to 21 matches.
France twice led through Alexandre Lacazette, who netted either side of Timo Werner’s leveller, but Stindl struck in stoppage time to rescue the host.
World Cup host Russia showed fighting spirit at St. Petersburg to twice battle back from a goal down to draw 3-3 with Spain on Tuesday, ending a six-game winning streak for Julen Lopetegui’s visiting side.
