England slump to Russia defeat

The artificial pitch proved anything but fantastic for McClaren and his men, who saw their five-match winning streak in qualifying Group E ended by two goals in four minutes from substitute Roman Pavluchenko after Wayne Rooney had given the a first-half lead.

While Russia coach Guus Hiddink celebrated a famous triumph against the man who got the job the Dutchman was considered for, McClaren was left to reflect on how fickle fate can be.

Victory would have seen England qualify, and they had high hopes after Rooney opened the scoring, but the scenario changed in the second half.

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.

The home side started brightly, but England were grew in confidence and Micah Richards launched a long ball deep into Russian territory.

Michael Owen flicked the ball on to Rooney, who took one soft touch on his chest before launching a missile of such venom from the end of his right boot that keeper Vladimir Gabulov barely had a chance to move before it bulged the net underneath his crossbar.

But Russia fought back after the break and Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo awarded them a penalty, adjudging Rooney of tugging Konstatin Zurianov and substitute Pavluchenko confidently dispatched the spot-kick.

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 Alexei Berezutsky's shot into his path.

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 Gareth Barry delivered the perfect free-kick.