Euro 2008 - England Fall to Russia 1-2

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. 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 Wayne 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.