Russia Triumphs Over Grenada In Friendly Match 5-0

The Russian national football team secured a remarkable victory over Grenada in a friendly match held at the Lev Yashin Stadium in Moscow, showcasing their skills with a dominant score of 5-0. The match, which took place on March 20, 2025, attracted over 15,000 spectators and marked a significant moment for both teams.

Goals from Daniil Prutsev, Arsen Adamov, Artem Dzyuba, Daniil Fomin, and Zelimkhan Bakaev ensured the Russian side's controlling performance. Notably, Artem Dzyuba also set a new record, becoming the all-time top scorer for the Russian national team with 31 goals. Dzyuba, at the age of 36 years and 6 months, also became the oldest goal-scorer in the team's history with this accomplishment.

In the aftermath of the match, Grenada's head coach, Anthony Modeste, shared his gratitude for the opportunity to play at a high level against such a well-prepared Russian team. “Thank you once again! We are very grateful to play at such a high level. It was quite challenging when the hail started, but I believe our players performed excellently,” he stated. Modeste praised the skill displayed by both teams and expressed satisfaction with their efforts in keeping the score manageable.

Modeste also reflected on the experience around the match, noting, “Unfortunately, we did not see the show because we were focused on giving the final instructions to our players before the game. But the flag was indeed gigantic, probably the largest flag of our country that we have seen.” He confirmed that the preparation for Grenada’s trip to Russia was well organized by their football union and agents, allowing them to compete competitively despite the weather challenges.

Grenadian player Dorrell Pierre assessed the skill level of the Russian squad, asserting that if Russia participated in the upcoming World Cup in America, they would be the favorites to win. “I think the Russian team would have won the World Cup in America if they had been allowed to participate. You have a very good team; we conceded five goals. Russia is a top team with the best players,” Pierre noted, highlighting the gap between the Grenadian players and their Russian counterparts, especially as Grenada sits in the second hundred of the FIFA rankings at position 174.

The Russian team is currently ranked 34th globally and faced sanctions from FIFA and UEFA starting in March 2022, which restrict their participation to friendly matches. Still, they have shown a strong performance in their recent outings, winning seven consecutive matches, including previous victories over teams like Cuba, Serbia, and Syria.

Russian football expert Valery Kechinov commented on the team's performance, cautioning that while the victory is commendable, it does not provide a complete picture of the team's strength. He insisted that stronger tests like their next match against Zambia will be crucial for evaluating the team's capabilities, noting that Zambia has historically been a contender for the best team in Africa.

“It is hard to assess the strength of the Russian national team with opponents like Grenada. But our upcoming match against Zambia should be a good test,” Kechinov remarked, as he referred to the significance of competitive matches in determining a team's form and readiness.

Next, the Russian national team will engage in a friendly match against Zambia on March 25, 2025, at the VTB Arena in Moscow. This match is seen as a vital opportunity for the Russian side to measure up against a more formidable opponent.

As the Russian team continues to prepare for this upcoming match, the Grenadian squad expressed hopes of showcasing their players to international clubs, aiming to gain more competitive experience. In his post-match remarks, Modeste shared, “We want them to play abroad, gain experience, and make our national team even stronger. If any club expresses interest in signing one of our players, we will be very happy.”

Despite the disappointment of the match’s outcome, Grenada’s players and coaching staff took away invaluable lessons and experiences from their time in Russia. Modeste emphasized their intent to foster ongoing improvement through exposure to high-caliber football. Observing the culture and environment in Russia was also cited as a memorable aspect of the visit, further enriching their sporting journey.

As the international football community looks forward to the faces of these athletes in their next bouts, future matches promise excitement and development for both Grenada and Russia as they navigate their unique paths in the world of football.