Russia 2 England 1Wayne Rooney took England's destiny in his own hands and then let it fall. A sublime opener was followed by the offence that triggered Russia's comeback for an ominous victory.
He will be in anguish over a lapse by the referee, Luis Medina Cantalejo, since the player's foul was committed a fraction outside the area, but the risk was immense and it was no surprise that a penalty was awarded.
Those minded to castigate the official should recall he also erred by not disallowing Rooney's beautiful goal, which was fractionally offside. If Rooney was at fault for the equaliser, goalkeeper Paul Robinson was to be blamed for the winner.
England will almost certainly fail now if Guus Hiddink's side beat Israel and Andorra.
Much that England did was sound until the 68th minute when Rooney's judgment proved brittle. Reaching out, he stopped the run of Konstantin Zurianov by manhandling him on the verge of the box.
Roman Pavlyuchenko, a substitute, converted the penalty for the first of his goals. It must be said England were going through a difficult spell then.
Robinson was found wanting once Pavlyuchenko had levelled the score. While Alexei Berezutsky's drive was strong in the 73rd minute, it was well within the reach of the goalkeeper. He should have been capable of beating the ball far away or putting it behind for a corner. As it was, he patted the ball down in the goalmouth and Pavlyuchenko bundled home the winner.
The opener from Rooney felt remote then, despite its memorable beauty. After half an hour Micah Richards hit the ball long, Michael Owen headed it in one of his few contributions and Rooney controlled with his chest before hitting a dipping volley to the net.
There was no sustenance left, though, after Russia had taken the lead. England could only react with the usual set-pieces that were never quite headed on target.
A five-man midfield did not deliver worthwhile width for Russia as Steven Gerrard curbed himself, staying deep to form a barrier with Gareth Barry. Hiddink's defence seemed fearful. A simple win was in prospect.
That might have been achieved in another keynote incident. Barry piloted a free-kick deep in the 49th minute and Gerrard must have been bewildered by the amount of space he enjoyed. What else could explain the volley that was hit wide.
RUSSIA:Gabulov, Alexei Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Vasili Berezutsky (Torbinsky 46), Aniukov, Zurianov, Semshov, Bilyaletdinov, Zhirkov, Arshavin (Kolodin 90), Kerzhakov (Pavluchenko 58). Booked: Vasili Berezutsky, Pavlyuchenko.
ENGLAND:Robinson, Richards, Ferdinand, Campbell, Lescott (Lampard 79), Wright-Phillips (Downing 80), Gerrard, Barry, Cole (Crouch 80), Rooney, Owen. Booked: Ferdinand, Rooney.
Referee: L Cantalejo(Spain).
