Three Lions tamed in Moscow

England: Dejected

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England's Euro 2008 hopes are no longer in their own hands after they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Russia in Moscow.

All looked well for Steve McClaren's men after Wayne Rooney volleyed England ahead on 29 minutes.

But Russia were handed the lifeline they needed on 69 minutes when Rooney was penalised for a foul on Konstantin Zurianov and substitute Roman Pavluchenko stepped up to convert the penalty.

Pavluchenko was then the hero for his nation as he grabbed the winner when he was first to react in the six-yard box as Paul Robinson blocked Alexei Berezutsky's long-range effort.

Russia are now only two points behind England with a game in hand. Croatia are already virtually through so if Russia can win in Israel next month, with only part-time Andorra to play in their final match, it is they who are likely to go on to the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Early pressure

England had some nervy moments early on with Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards under pressure as the hosts launched an initial onslaught.

Yuri Zhrikov and Alexander Kerzhakov were particularly impressive but the opportunities that fell Russia's way were half-chances at best.

Robinson did produce one good save to deny Konstatin Zurianov but other than that Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell and Gareth Barry, operating in a deeper midfield role, stood firm.

England were growing in confidence and took the lead. Richards launched a long ball deep into Russian territory for Michael Owen to leap high and flick-on to Rooney.

Rooney took a touch on his chest before launching an unstoppable shot past Vladimir Gabulov.

Decisive penalty

After waiting three years for a competitive goal, Rooney had two in a week and looked like becoming the hero McClaren had called for - but instead, the Manchester United man turned villain after the break.

Rooney was caught napping as Zurianov burst into the area and Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo spotted a tug on the Russian's shirt and pointed to the spot.

Substitute Pavluchenko dispatched the penalty with a degree of confidence which belied the pressure he must have been under.

The goal reawakened Russian passions and four minutes later they had even more to celebrate as Pavluchenko fired in from close range after Robinson could only parry Berezutsky's shot into his path.

Late hope

Given the astonishing turnaround, how England had cause to rue Steven Gerrard's glaring miss immediately after the break when he was left completely free at the far post as Barry delivered the perfect free-kick.

Had the Liverpool man realised the time available to him he would surely have taken a touch. Instead, he attempted a side-footed shot first time and fired wide.

Gerrard's error was ultimately to prove extremely costly and it could even have been worse for England as Ferdinand almost turned the ball into his own net.

The visitors had one chance at redemption but for the first time all night Campbell erred, nodding Stewart Downing's ball over.