Although not as involved as in previous games Downing linked up well with Ashley Cole down the left and between them they delivered some telling crosses into the middle.
After 65 minutes and with the score at 4-0 Downing was replaced by Kieran Richardson. He should play some part in England's next Euro 2008 qualifier against Macedonia on Wednesday.
Yakubu returned to the Nigeria side after nearly a year and scored the first goal in a 2-0 African Nations Cup 2008 qualifier against Niger.
The Boro striker had fallen out with Nigeria's coach, Austin Eguavoen, and missed the African Nations Cup 2006 finals earlier this year, but he is now back in favour.
Nigeria play Lesotho, who lost 3-0 to Uganda yesterday, in their next group match in October.
Emanuel Pogatetz played the full 90 minutes for Austria against Costa Rica in a four team toutnament, also involving Switzerland and Venezuela.
The Austrians came from behind to draw 2-2 in Geneva, they play Venezuela in Basel on Wednesday.