Russia 3-3 Belgium: Aleksandr Bukharov nets injury-time equaliser after Christian Benteke's brace

  • Viktor Vasin scored the opening goal of the game after only three minutes
  • Everton forward Kevin Mirallas equalised for Belgium from the penalty spot
  • Benteke scored twice in the space of three minutes at the end of the first half 
  • Aleksei Miranchuk pulled a goal back for Russia with 16 minutes remaining
  • Aleksandr Bukharov netted an injury-time equaliser for Russia, who trailed 3-1 

Aleksandr Bukharov scored a stoppage-time equaliser as World Cup hosts Russia came from two goals down at half-time to hold Belgium to a draw in a friendly in Sochi on Tuesday.

Russia opened the scoring in the third minute through Viktor Vasin, but Kevin Mirallas levelled for Belgium from the penalty spot and Christian Benteke scored twice to give the visitors a commanding advantage at half-time.

Russia pulled one back 15 minutes from the end through substitute Aleksei Miranchuk and then snatched a morale-boosting equaliser.

Russia forward Aleksandr Bukharov came off the bench to rescue a 3-3 draw for Russia 

Russia forward Aleksandr Bukharov came off the bench to rescue a 3-3 draw for Russia 

Christian Benteke (second left) netted twice in three minutes to put Belgium in control in Sochi

Christian Benteke (second left) netted twice in three minutes to put Belgium in control in Sochi

Russia had taken the lead after only three minutes thanks to Viktor Vasin's (centre) opener

Russia had taken the lead after only three minutes thanks to Viktor Vasin's (centre) opener

Kevin Mirallas hauled his country level from the penalty spot after 17 minutes in Sochi

Kevin Mirallas hauled his country level from the penalty spot after 17 minutes in Sochi

Crystal Palace striker Benteke appeared fed up as he headed back to Belgium on Tuesday 

Crystal Palace striker Benteke appeared fed up as he headed back to Belgium on Tuesday 

MATCH FACTS 

Russia (5-3-2): Akinfeev, Vasin, Neustadter, Kudryashov, Samedov, Zobnin, Dzagoev (Ozdoev, 17 mins, Miranchuk, 72 mins), Kombarov, Erokhin (Glushakov, 76 mins), Kanunnikov (Bukharov, 46), Poloz (Golovin, 62 mins)

Subs not used: Belenov, Shishkin, Semenov, Dzhikija, Kutepov, Zhirkov, Guilherme

Goals: Vasin (3), Miranchuk (74), Bukharov (90)

Belgium (3-5-2): Mignolet, Foket, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Dembele, Tielemans (Witsel, 66 mins), Nainggolan, Mirallas (Mertens, 66 mins), Benteke (Lukaku, 77 mins), Chadli (Carrasco, 77 mins)

Subs not used: Casteels, Hazard, Dendoncker, Origi, Batshuayi, Boyata, Sels

Goals: Mirallas (17), Benteke (42, 45) 

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland) 

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It was a much-improved performance from Russia, whose recent results were sounding increasingly loud alarm bells ahead of next year's tournament.


Russia were beaten 2-0 by Ivory Coast in Krasnodar on Friday but will draw some heart from Tuesday's comeback, even if it was against an under-strength Belgium side without regulars such as Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, who made a cameo appearance near the end.

Benteke proved an adequate replacement in attack as he won the penalty that led to the equaliser, powering his way into the Russian penalty box before Roman Neustadter brought him down.

Mirallas hit a poor penalty but Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev dived right over the top of it.

Neustadter was also involved in the opening goal when he played a pass back into the danger area from a poorly cleared free kick for Vasin to tap home from close range.

Belgium went ahead in the 42nd minute from a corner as Neustadter cleared Jan Vertonghen's goal-bound header straight at Benteke, who was left with a simple finish.

Benteke put Belgium in front with his 11th and 12 international goals in the friendly draw

Benteke put Belgium in front with his 11th and 12 international goals in the friendly draw

Aleksei Miranchuk (centre) netted with 15 minutes to go to pull his side back into the game

Aleksei Miranchuk (centre) netted with 15 minutes to go to pull his side back into the game

Bukharov completed the comeback after coming on as a second-half substitute in Sochi

Bukharov completed the comeback after coming on as a second-half substitute in Sochi

Benteke was preferred up front to Romelu Lukaku by Belgium manager Roberto Martinez

Benteke was preferred up front to Romelu Lukaku by Belgium manager Roberto Martinez

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen is hassled by Russia midfielder Aleksandr Erokhin

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen is hassled by Russia midfielder Aleksandr Erokhin

Benteke headed in an in-swinging free kick from Nacer Chadli to hand Belgium a two-goal advantage on the stroke of half-time.

A host of second-half substitutions took the momentum out of the game before Russia capitalised on sloppy midfield play by the visitors and quickly countered.

Miranchuk then played a one-two with fellow substitute Bukharov before steering the ball into the net.

Bukharov then snatched a draw with an opportunistic finish just minutes before the final whistle. 

West Brom forward Nacer Chadli tries to hold off Aleksandr Samedov during the clash

West Brom forward Nacer Chadli tries to hold off Aleksandr Samedov during the clash

Roman Zobnin (left) and Radja Nainggolan battle for possession as Belgium looked to hold on

Roman Zobnin (left) and Radja Nainggolan battle for possession as Belgium looked to hold on

Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen pleads his innocence after tackling Dmitry Poloz 

Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen pleads his innocence after tackling Dmitry Poloz 

Maksim Kanunnikov tries to escape Vermaelen and bring Russia back into the game 

Maksim Kanunnikov tries to escape Vermaelen and bring Russia back into the game