On Sunday, Russia defeated Iraq 2-0 in their first home match since the former’s invasion of Ukraine.
FIFA and UEFA, the regional and international governing organizations of football, declared in February 2022 that Russia’s national and club teams would be barred from participating in their leagues.
Since then, Russia has played friendlies against Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, but they haven’t played at home since November 2021.
Победа! 💪#РоссияИрак 🇷🇺🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/fTbcBM7N5P
— Сборная России (@TeamRussia) March 26, 2023
Early in the second half versus Iran at the Gazprom Arena, Anton Miranchuk gave Russia the lead, and shortly before the hour, Sergey Pinyaev scored a second.
The Champions League final was scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg last year, but due to Russia’s military actions, it was moved to the Parc des Princes in Paris.