Petukhova Scores Twice as Russia Beat India Women 4-0 in Kolkata Friendly

India Women lost 4-0 to Russia in the first of two international friendlies at the rain-soaked Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday, October 8. Substitute Kira Petukhova scored twice, and India fielded six debutants.

The 69th-ranked Blue Tigresses defended in a compact shape and trailed by only one goal at half-time. Iana Sheina gave 27th-ranked Russia the lead shortly before the break. India's best chances came from Malavika P around the half-hour mark and from Lynda Kom Serto later in the half, but neither could find the net.

Russia took control after the interval. Petukhova scored in the 60th minute from close range after goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem could only parry a long-range effort from captain Nadezhda Smirnova. She struck again in the 65th minute when India failed to clear their lines. Iana Svistunova added a fourth in the 81st minute. Monalisha, who made her first start and won her third cap, made several saves to keep the score down.

It was India's first-ever women's international match in Kolkata and their first outing since winning a record sixth SAFF Women's Championship title in June. The defeat was also India's third in three senior meetings with Russia, after losses at the Turkish Women's Cup in 2021 and the Pink Ladies Cup in 2025.

The two sides meet again in the second friendly on October 11.