England sunk by Pavluchenko double

MOSCOW, Russia -- Two goals in the space of four second-half minutes by Roman Pavluchenko gave Russia a crucial 2-1 victory over England in Moscow, to put qualification from Euro 2008 Group E firmly in their own hands.

Wayne Rooney had given England the lead on the half-hour with a spectacular volley, following a flick-on from Michael Owen, for his second goal in five days for his country.

England then wasted chances to increase their lead, notably when Steven Gerrard fired into the side-netting when unmarked at the far post.

The visitors were made to pay for their mistakes when Pavluchenko fired home a 69th minute penalty after Rooney had pulled back Konstantin Zyrianov on the edge of the area.

With England's defense creaking under wave upon wave of Russian attacks, the victory was sealed four minutes later when Pavluchenko reacted quickest in the penalty area to score from close-range.

The result means that Russia will definitely qualify for the finals if they win their remaining two matches in Israel and Andorra.

Group leaders Croatia only need a point from their final two matches away to Macedonia and England to secure their qualification.

The artificial pitch in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium had provided plenty of debate before the match, but England settled well and took a deserved lead.

Micah Richards launched a long ball forward for Owen to rise superbly and direct his header into the path of Rooney -- who took one touch before blasting a superb shot past static goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov.

Although Russia looked dangerous coming forward, England's makeshift defense -- shorn of captain John Terry and Ashley Cole and with Joleon Lescott making his full debut at left-back -- stood firm.

England started the second-half brightly and Gerrard, captain for the night due to Terry's absence, somehow contrived to shoot wide from Gareth Barry's superb free-kick.

That miss proved costly and the home side began to pour forward in search of an equalizing goal.

Their constant pressure eventually paid off when Rooney was caught napping as Zurianov burst into the area. Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo spotted Rooney's tug on the Russian's shirt and pointed to the spot.

Substitute Pavluchenko, whose pace caused England problems from the moment he came on, dispatched the penalty with confidence.

The goal spurred Russia, and their passionate supporters on, and it was no surprise when Pavluchenko fired in from close range after Robinson could only parry Alexei Berezutsky's shot into his path.

England coach Steve McClaren made three substitutions to try and turn things around and they wasted a great chance to rescue a point when Sol Campbell headed over from Barry's cross.

McClaren rounded on the referee following the defeat. "We had it. It was in our grasp and we've ended up losing the match," he said.

"I've just seen the penalty again and it's an absolute disgrace. It is outside the box. The linesman didn't give it and it was the referee from quite some distance. Things like that turn games.

"We were comfortable. They were running out of ideas and that just turned the game. It was a mad four minutes after that and unfortunately we conceded a second," he added,

"But I can't fault the players for the gameplan, the way they've endeavored to work, the commitment, the blocks we got in, the headers. We have ended up losing a game that really, after 70 minutes, I never thought we would lose."

McClaren's opposite number Guus Hiddink always thought his team were in with a chance -- even when they were trailing 1-0 at half-time.

"I had a feeling that if we could manage to keep pressure on their defense we could get the equaliser and could turn it around, because they might start to panic.

"I am very proud of these guys and now it is in our own hands," added the Dutchman.

Im the group's other match, home side Macedonia cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to bottom side Andorra, who remain without a point. E-mail to a friend