India Women lose 8-0 to Russia in second International friendly in Kolkata

Russia Women overpower 8-0 India in second International friendly

KOLKATA: India suffered an 0-8 defeat to a clinical Russia in their second women’s international friendly at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Having offered resistance for much of the first half in Thursday’s 0-4 loss in the first friendly, the Blue Tigresses were overwhelmed this time, conceding five goals before the interval.

Darina Ishmukhametova, Marine Achoian and Natalia Mashina scored twice each, while Daiana Kishmakhova and Elizaveta Semenova also found the net as Russia completed two convincing victories in Kolkata against the Blue Tigresses.

Crispin Chettri made five changes to India’s starting eleven, bringing in Shubhangi Singh, Mousumi Murmu, Renu, Dhurga Perumal and Priyadharshini Selladurai. Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam took over the captaincy. The changes could not prevent Russia from taking control.

Five Goals in the First Half

The visitors combined fluently, switched play to stretch India’s defence and repeatedly used their pace to expose gaps. The Blue Tigresses struggled to track runners and compounded their difficulties with errors in possession.

The opening goal arrived in the 21st minute. Ksenia Dolgova advanced down the left and delivered a low cross. Goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem spilled the ball, allowing Ishmukhametova to slot home the rebound.

Four minutes later, Achoian produced a spectacular second. Collecting a loose ball around 30 yards from goal, she weaved through a succession of Indian defenders before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike into the top-right corner, beyond Monalisha’s outstretched hand.

In the 29th minute, Azalia Zalmieva and Achoian combined to create the third goal. Achoian threaded a fine pass between the Indian defenders for Kishmakhova, whose run from the right went unchecked. With India’s defence caught out by the movement and precision of the exchange, Kishmakhova finished at the near post.

The fourth came from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute. Kira Petukhova, who scored twice in the first friendly, made a jinking run into the box, evading several challenges before Juli Kishan brought her down. Ishmukhametova stepped up and sent Monalisha the wrong way.

Another defensive giveaway brought Russia their fifth before half-time. Ishmukhametova intercepted a loose Indian pass on the right and turned provider for Achoian. The midfielder went past Dhurga’s challenge before beating Monalisha for her second goal of the evening.

The damage could have been greater, but Monalisha denied further efforts from Achoian and Petukhova as India reached the interval trailing 0-5.

Second Half

There was little respite after the restart. Substitute and debutant goalkeeper Nandini had barely settled into the contest when Russia added two more goals in quick succession.

In the 50th minute, Natalia Mashina intercepted a loose pass from Cindy Colney and ran through unchallenged before beating Nandini in a one-on-one situation.

A minute later, another poor clearance presented Mashina with possession inside the penalty area. Left unmarked, she put her finish through Nandini’s legs to make it 7–0.

Russia completed the scoring in the 74th minute. A long throw into the box found Mashina, who worked the ball back towards Elizaveta Semenova at the edge of the area. Semenova controlled it, fashioned space with a deft movement and drove a powerful right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner.

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