Substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko scored twice as Russia came from behind to beat England 2-1 in a tense Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday after Wayne Rooney had put the visitors in front and then conceded a penalty.
Rooney's superb volley gave England a 29th-minute lead, and a scoreline that would have put them into next year's finals.
But Pavlyuchenko came off the bench to convert a 69th-minute penalty after Rooney had tripped Konstantin Zyryanov on the edge of the area. He prodded home another four minutes later after keeper Paul Robinson had parried a long-range shot.
Russia's victory puts their qualifying campaign firmly back on track, though England can also reach the finals, along with favourites Croatia from Group E.
In a Group A encounter, Portugal beat Kazakhstan 2-1 with Ariza Makukula, who came in as a last-minute replacement for striker Nuno Gomes, and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring for them.
More from rediff