Uzbekistan’s national football team lost 2-3 to Russia in an international fixture in Tashkent after taking a 2-0 lead. The hosts went ahead in the fifth minute when Russia defender Viktor Melyokhin turned the ball into his own net. Early in the second half, 19-year-old defender Behruz Karimov doubled the advantage from a Dostonbek Khamdamov pass, scoring his first goal for the national team. Russia head coach Valery Karpin then changed the game with his substitutions: Nikolay Komlichenko scored twice and Aleksey Miranchuk netted the winner. The match was also notable as the second-ever meeting between the two national teams.
Key Takeaways: Uzbekistan led 2-0 but Russia scored three goals between the 70th and 79th minutes to win 3-2. Komlichenko scored twice, Miranchuk struck the decisive goal, and Karimov marked his first international goal. Flashscore data showed Russia ahead on shots and expected goals (19-12, 2.30-0.65).
The fixture was the second historical encounter between the Uzbek and Russian national teams. Their first meeting took place on 20 November 2022, also in Tashkent, and ended in a 0-0 draw. For Uzbekistan, the match was a valuable test against a strong opponent, especially in managing a lead and responding to tactical changes. For Russia, it highlighted the impact of squad depth, as Karpin’s substitutes turned a two-goal deficit into a victory.
The key moments unfolded quickly: Melyokhin’s own goal on five minutes, Karimov’s finish from Khamdamov’s assist on 46, Komlichenko’s goal on 70, his second five minutes later, and Miranchuk’s winner on 79. According to Flashscore, Russia had 19 shots to Uzbekistan’s 12, with seven and five on target respectively. Possession was 55% for the visitors and 45% for the hosts, while expected goals stood at 2.30 to 0.65 in Russia’s favour.
Uzbekistan will need to draw lessons on protecting a two-goal cushion and handling an opponent’s momentum after substitutions. In upcoming matches, the team is expected to focus on defensive stability and maintaining rhythm in the second half. Russia, meanwhile, will take confidence from a comeback win in Tashkent as it prepares for future international fixtures. Analysts and fans will now watch how both sides respond to the result in their next outings.
Source: www.uznews.uz