Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland remain locked in a three-way tussle for top spot after all wining.
Russia, Slovakia and Ireland all win to stay level at top
Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland remain locked in a three-way tussle for top spot after all wining on Saturday.
Roman Pavlyuchenko scored a hat-trick as Russia came from behind to beat Armenia 3-1 in the day's early kick-off and put pressure on their rivals at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group B.
Marcos Pizzelli put
Armenia ahead after 25 minutes before Pavlyuchenko took centre stage for
Russia.
The Tottenham striker equalised almost immediately and then made it 2-1 just before the hour mark.
He then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot with 17 minutes remaining after Sargis Hovsepyan was adjudged to have fouled Yuri Zhirkov inside the area.
Slovakia responded with a narrow 1-0 victory at home to bottom team
Andorra.
The minnows of Andorra put up a brave fight and goalkeeper Josep Anton Gomez was in inspired form to keep Slovakia at bay.
It was one-way traffic throughout, however, and Andorra's resistance was finally broken in the 63rd minute when Miroslav Karhan scored the only goal of the match.
Robbie Keane scored twice to lead the
Republic of Ireland to a
2-0 victory away to
Macedonia, leaving Giovanni Trapattoni's side level on 13 points with Russia and Slovakia.
