England's Euro 2008 qualifying hopes were wrenched out of their own hands as they crashed to defeat in Moscow. The result means Steve McClaren's side must now beat Croatia at Wembley next month and hope Russia stumble in their remaining games against a hopeless Andorra and an Israel side with nothing to play for.
The Russia substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbed both of his team's goals in a four-minute spell in the second half, cancelling out Wayne Rooney's delightfully volleyed first-half opener.
Russia, backed by a hostile atmosphere inside the Luzhniki Stadium, started brightly, with Yuri Zhirkov and Alexander Kerzhakov having their shots blocked by Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell respectively. However, England grew in confidence as the half wore on and Joleon Lescott's header was deflected on to the crossbar, before Shaun Wright-Phillips broke free only for him to see his cross run behind the incoming Rooney.
If Rooney had been sluggish for that chance however, he was at his brilliant best a few minutes later. Micah Richards lumped an aimless ball upfield and Michael Owen - unexpectedly finding himself in the Emile Heskey role - flicked it on to Rooney, who hammered an unstoppable, dipping volley past Vladimir Gabulov.
England then managed to miss two unmissable chances that would have sealed the game early in the second-half. Gerrard was the first culprit, volleying wide after a Gareth Barry free-kick found him unmarked at the far post, while Richards - six-yards out - failed to connect with a Rooney flick-on a few minutes later.
Those misses appeared to weigh heavily on England and Russia took full advantage: Zurianov stole past Rooney on his blind side and was clipped - but the initial contact was outside the area. No matter, the referee gave the spot-kick and Pavlyuchenko converted.
Worse was to come though. Vasili Berezutsky's fierce shot was palmed away by Robinson, but neither he nor the defenders surrounding him could get to the ball before Pavlyuchenko, who poked Russia into the lead.
England struggled to create any meaningful chances in the rest of the half, until the 85th minute. First, Rooney's shot was forced wide by Gabulov and then Campbell headed the resulting corner high and wide when unmarked. That was their last chance. Now England must hope for help from elsewhere if they are to qualify for next summer's finals.
Credit :
Clip Hilight : Russia 2-1 England
Rooney 0-1
Pavlyucenko (pen) 1-1
Pavlyucenko 2-1
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