On March 25, 2025, the Russian national football team will face Zambia in a highly anticipated friendly match at the VTB Arena in Moscow. The match is set to kick off at 20:00 local time, with many viewing it as a test for both teams as they prepare for future competitions.
Russia, currently ranked 34th in the FIFA standings, enters the match with an impressive track record, having won all five of their previous friendly matches last year. Their recent victories include dominant wins over Serbia and Belarus, each by a score of 4-0. The Russian squad is in great shape, riding a nine-match unbeaten streak — a series that includes seven wins and two draws. Coach Valery Karpin has expressed confidence in his team's abilities, especially after their latest triumph against Syria, where they won convincingly, 4-0, in November 2024.
Conversely, Zambia sits at 87th place in the FIFA rankings and is also in good form, having secured five straight wins. Notably, they recently claimed a significant victory over Côte d'Ivoire by 1-0 and triumphed against Mozambique, winning 3-0 in their last outing. An encouraging sign for the Zambians is their ability to maintain a strong defense, having not conceded a goal since September 2024.
With this match being the teams’ first ever encounter, both sides will be eager to make a statement. Expert predictions lean heavily in favor of Russia, who are deemed the clear favorites to win. Betting analysts from FONBET have given Russia odds of 1.20, suggesting a 77% probability of a victory. A draw is offered at 6.30 (16% probability), while a Zambia win is considered a long shot at 15.0 (7%). The Russian squad’s attacking prowess is evident, as they have managed to score a minimum of three goals in each of their last six matches.
Despite Russia's strong results, Karpin faces challenges as he will have to manage without key players such as Artem Dzyuba, who will miss the match to allow Karpin to assess other players. Notably absent are also Danyil Fomin and Alexander Soldatenkov, providing an opportunity for emerging talents to step into the spotlight.
Zambia arrives in Moscow without a number of their top European league players, including Leicester's Patson Daka and Lecce's Lamisha Banda. Under coach Avraham Grant, a former Chelsea manager, the Zambian team has shown resilience but will have to rely heavily on their younger and less experienced players in this encounter.
The match promises to deliver exciting football, as both teams seek to translate their recent success into performance on the field. Fans can expect an open game with both sides likely trying to score early to set the tone. The Russian camp believes they can implement their attacking strategies against a Zambia team expected to employ a defensive approach.
Historically, Dzyuba has been a pivotal player for the Russian national team, making news recently after reaching 31 international goals, marking an achievement within the nation's football history. As he holds the record for the highest number of goals for Russia, his absence is felt deeply as the team pushes forward in their other fixtures.
This friendly match could be instrumental for both nations as they prepare for upcoming challenges. With the sheer talent and experience in Russia’s squad, along with Zambia’s surprising strength amid its own challenges, the outcome remains to be seen. Russia aims to solidify its dominance on the field, while Zambia will strive to prove they can stand strong against a superior opponent.
As the countdown to kickoff approaches, the excitement from fans is palpable, underscored by the importance of this moment for the footballing landscape of both countries. This matchup could be a turning point for Zambia to showcase their growth and potential in international football, while Russia looks to extend its impressive winning streak.
The match will be broadcast live, allowing fans to witness all the action as Russia and Zambia clash on the pitch in what promises to be a memorable encounter.
