Russia defeated Iraq 2-0 on Sunday in their first home international since the country invaded Ukraine.

European and global football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA announced in February 2022 that Russia's international and club sides would be suspended from their competitions.

Russia have played Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran in friendlies since then, but not since November 2021 had they played on home soil.

Anton Miranchuk gave Russia the lead against Iran early in the second half at the Gazprom Arena and Sergey Pinyaev added a second just before the hour mark.

The venue in Saint Petersburg had been due to host last year's Champions League final, but it was instead held at the Parc des Princes in Paris in wake of Russia's military actions.

Costa Rica cancelled their World Cup warm-up match against Iraq due to an issue over passports.

Luis Fernando Suarez's side were set for one final test before they begin their Group E campaign against Spain in Qatar next Wednesday.

Ahead of travelling to the Gulf State on Friday, Costa Rica had been staying in Kuwait, with the intention to cross into Iraq for Thursday's friendly.

But having travelled to the border on Wednesday, a request to have their passports not stamped was not honoured by local authorities, forcing them to return to their camp.

"The match against Iraq was suspended," Costa Rica's Football Federation stated.

"An agreement that was made with the non-stamping of passports was not respected and for this reason it was decided not to enter Iraq and cancel the match."

Costa Rica are competing in their third consecutive tournament, having reached a best-ever finish at Brazil 2014 by progressing to the quarter-finals.

A dismal Russia 2018 campaign saw them eliminated in the group stages, with Suarez's side likely to face a tough test in a group that also contains Japan and Germany.

Mexico were posed very few problems by Iraq in their first World Cup warm-up game, winning 4-0 in Girona on Wednesday.

Although many countries have been unable line up pre-tournament friendlies due to the awkward timing of Qatar 2022, El Tri will travel to the Middle East with two games under their belts.

Their first may not have been particularly competitive, but it did the job in providing an opportunity to build sharpness and confidence ahead of the tournament, with Mexico dominant throughout.

The first half was especially one-sided, but Tata Martino's men could only find the Iraq net once via Alexis Vega's simple finish following fine work by Jesus Gallardo at the end of a rapid counter.

Mexico's fortunes improved after the break, with Rogelio Funes Mori smashing into the roof of the net early in the second half, and it was 3-0 just past the hour – Gallardo unleashing an emphatic half-volley that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

The scoring was completed late on when a handball offence in the box led to a penalty, and Uriel Antuna coolly converted.

Mexico's second and final pre-World Cup game is against Sweden on Wednesday, with El Tri then set to face Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Group C.