Euro 2008 Qualifying Group E Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Croatia	12	9	2	1	28	8	29
Russia	12	7	3	2	18	7	24
England	12	7	2	3	24	7	23
Israel	12	7	2	3	20	12	23
FYR Macedonia	12	4	2	6	12	12	14
Estonia	12	2	1	9	5	21	7
Andorra	12	0	0	12	2	42	0

Euro 2008 Qualifying Group E Fixtures

16/08/06	Estonia	0 v 1	FYR Macedonia
			Sedloski 73
02/09/06	England	5 v 0	Andorra
	Crouch 5, 66, Gerrard 13, Defoe 38, 47
02/09/06	Estonia	0 v 1	Israel
			Colautti 8
06/09/06	FYR Macedonia	0 v 1	England
			Crouch 46
06/09/06	Israel	4 v 1	Andorra
	Benayoun 9, Ben Shushan 11, Gershon (pen) 43, Tamuz 69		Fernandez 84
06/09/06	Russia	0 v 0	Croatia
07/10/06	England	0 v 0	FYR Macedonia
07/10/06	Croatia	7 v 0	Andorra
	Petric 12, 37, 48, 50, Klasnic 58, Balaban 62, Modric 83
07/10/06	Russia	1 v 1	Israel
	Arshavin 5		Ben Shushan 84
11/10/06	Croatia	2 v 0	England
	Eduardo 61, G Neville (o.g) 69
11/10/06	Russia	2 v 0	Estonia
	Pogrebniak 78, Sychev 90+
11/10/06	Andorra	0 v 3	Macedonia
			Pandev 13, Noveski 16, Naumoski 31
15/11/06	Israel	3 v 4	Croatia
	Colautti 8, 89, Benayoun 68		Srna 35 (pen), Eduardo 39, 54, 72
15/11/06	FYR Macedonia	0 v 2	Russia
			Bystrov 18, Arshavin 32
24/03/07	Israel	0 v 0	England
24/03/07	Estonia	0 v 2	Russia
			Kerzhakov 66, 78
24/03/07	Croatia	2 v 1	FYR Macedonia
	Srna 58, Eduardo 88		Sedloski 38
28/03/07	Andorra	0 v 3	England
			Gerrard 54, 76, Nugent 92
28/03/07	Israel	4 v 0	Estonia
	Tal 19, Colautti 29, Sahar 77, 80
02/06/07	Estonia	0 v 1	Croatia
			Eduardo 32
02/06/07	Russia	4 v 0	Andorra
	Kerzhakov 8, 16, 49, Sychev 71
02/06/07	FYR Macedonia	1 v 2	Israel
	Stojkov 13		Yitzhaki 11, Colautti 44
06/06/07	Estonia	0 v 3	England
			J Cole 37, Crouch 54, Owen 62
06/06/07	Andorra	0 v 2	Israel
			Tamuz 37, Colautti 53
06/06/07	Croatia	0 v 0	Russia
22/08/07	Estonia	2 v 1	Andorra
	Piiroja 34, Zelinski 92		Silva 87
08/09/07	England	3 v 0	Israel
	Wright-Phillips 20, Owen 49, Richards 66
08/09/07	Russia	3 v 0	FYR Macedonia
	Berezutsky 8, Arshavin 84, Kerzhakov 88
08/09/07	Croatia	2 v 0	Estonia
	Eduardo 39, 46
12/09/07	England	3 v 0	Russia
	Owen 7, 31, Ferdinand 84
12/09/07	Andorra	0 v 6	Croatia
			Srna 34, Petric 38, 44, Kranjcar 49, Eduardo 55, Rakitic 64
12/09/07	FYR Macedonia	1 v 1	Estonia
	Maznov 30		Piiroja 17
13/10/07	England	3 v 0	Estonia
	Wright-Phillips 11, Rooney 32, Rahn 33 (o.g)
13/10/07	Croatia	1 v 0	Israel
	Eduardo 52
17/10/07	Russia	2 v 1	England
	Pavluchenko 69 (pen) 73		Rooney 29
17/10/07	FYR Macedonia	3 v 0	Andorra
	Naumoski 30, Sedloski 44, Pandev 59
17/11/07	FYR Macedonia	2 v 0	Croatia
	Maznov 71, Naumoski 78	Skopje
17/11/07	Israel	2 v 1	Russia
	Barda 10, Golan 90+		Bilaletdinov 61
17/11/07	Andorra	0 v 2	Estonia
			Oper 31, Lindpere 60
21/11/07	England	2 v 3	Croatia
	Lampard 56 (pen), Crouch 65		Kranjcar 8, Olic 14, Petric 77
21/11/07	Israel	1 v 0	FYR Macedonia
	Barda 35
21/11/07	Andorra	0 v 1	Russia
			Sychev 39

Last edited by berni23 on Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:24 pm; edited 9 times in total

UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying Group E

Estonia ended their point and goal drought in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group E by defeating Andorra with a last-gasp winner.

Returning hero
Estonia's hero was Indrek Zelinski on his return to the national team after a two-and-a-half year absence. The 32-year-old scored the vital goal in the second minute of added time but was then sent off to leave the home side with just nine players on the pitch following Ragnar Klavan's dismissal at the end of the first half.

Effective combination
Andorra created the first chance of the match as Ildefons Lima's early free-kick flew over Mart Poom's goal but Estonia controlled the first half. In the 26th minute Dmitri Kruglov's cross found Raio Piiroja in the penalty area but the defender headed over. Eight minutes later the same combination was more successful with Piiroja meeting Kruglov's cross and sending his header over goalkeeper Koldo to give Estonia the lead.

Feisty affair
Kruglov went close three minutes later but his thunderous shot from 40 meters was punched away by Koldo Álvarez before he linked up with Piiroja again - Txema García clearing off the line to keep Estonia at bay. From the resulting corner, Vladimir Voskoboinikov's effort was disallowed for handball. Then, in added time, Klavan was shown the red card. Five more players were cautioned early in the second half with Lima testing Poom with a rare Andorra shot.

Late drama
Piiroja's header was slightly off target, substitute Tarmo Kink hit the side netting, and Zelinski was denied by Koldo as Estonia looked for the breakthrough. Then, with three minutes left, José Manuel Ayala crossed from the left and Fernando Silva headed into the top corner for a surprise equaliser. But the match was not over as Kink made a great run down the left and crossed for Zelinski, the Estonian Meistriliiga's top scorer, to tap in a dramatic winner although he was subsequently shown his second yellow card for taking off his shirt.

England 3-0 Israel

England continued their Group E revival as Michael Owen and Micah Richards scored in the second period to add to a first-half Shaun Wright-Phillips strike which secured a comfortable home win against Israel.

Third straight win
A run of three games without a victory looked to have left England with an uphill task to qualify, but 3-0 victories against Andorra and Estonia got their campaign back on track and once Wright-Phillips had volleyed in the opener, Steve McClaren's team were always in charge against visitors who had lost only one of their previous 18 competitive fixtures. Owen eased any lingering doubts with a fine second goal four minutes into the second half, his 38th international strike, before Richards headed in his first for his country to round off a dominant display.

England on top
England had been beaten by Germany last month but McClaren's side were quickly into their stride at Wembley Stadium and could have been in front as early as the tenth minute, Emile Heskey – on his first appearance since UEFA EURO 2004™ – blazing Owen's lay-off over the bar. The hosts continued to press, however, and got their reward in the 20th minute when Wright-Phillips stole in at the far post to volley Joe Cole's left-wing cross into the net.

Mixed fortunes
England might have added to their advantage before half-time as they kept Israel penned inside their own half, Owen driving a shot straight at goalkeeper Dudu Awat and slashing the rebound high and wide. The Newcastle United FC striker made amends in style soon after the interval, turning on the edge of the Israel penalty area and drilling in an unstoppable half-volley. Richard rose highest to nod in a third from Gareth Barry's corner six minutes past the hour to ensure England will go into Wednesday's match against Russia, who are a point above them, in good heart. Israel have to wait until 17 October for their next game, against Croatia.

Russia 3-0 F.Y.R. Macedonia
Late strikes from Andrei Arshavin and Aleksandr Kerzhakov eased ten-man Russia to a convincing victory over F.Y.R. Macedonia in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying.

Late flurry
The Russians took an early lead through Vasili Berezutski and dominated proceedings before having goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov sent off for a foul in the area which led to Igor Mitreski missing a penalty. Two goals in the last ten minutes, however, secured a home win that keeps Russia in contention around the top of Group E.

Early breakthrough
The hosts went ahead after eight minutes when Goce Sedloski brought down Arshavin and the striker fired over a free-kick from the left for Berezutsky to slot home from 12 metres. The visitors were struggling to get a foothold in the game, being limited to a speculative effort from Goran Popov. Russia, by contrast, had a series of long-range attempts, with Vladimir Bystrov and Konstantin Zyrianov going close.

Off the woodwork
Eventually, the Macedonians settled. Popov tried to beat Gabulov from distance before Vlade Lazarevski forced a save from the keeper with a fine strike. Nonetheless, the chief threat still came from Guus Hiddink's team and Dmitri Sychev made Petar Milosevski work before hitting the frame of the keeper's goal.

Paying the penalty
Yet the complexion of the match could have changed dramatically after 70 minutes. Gabulov brought down F.Y.R. Macedonia substitute Goran Maznov, earning a red card. However, substitute keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev dived to his right to keep out Mitreski's spot-kick. The miss was made worse for Srečko Katanec's side when Arshavin scored from just inside the area on 84 minutes. The same player turned supplier for Kerzhakov soon after with a cross from the right.

Croatia 2-0 Estonia

Eduardo da Silva struck twice inside six first-half minutes to seal an easy win for Croatia and move them two points clear at the Group E summit.

Missed penalty
Croatia overcame an early setback when Darijo Srna missed a sixth-minute penalty and dominated a one-sided fixture to remain on course for the 2008 UEFA European Championship, with a trip to Andorra to come on Wednesday. Israel's defeat in England means Croatia are now clear at the top of the group with fellow unbeaten team Russia in second. Estonia, who have claimed just three points from nine qualifying matches, offered little attacking threat but showed resistance in keeping the scoreline to a minimum.

Powerful finish
The pattern of the evening appeared clear-cut from the opening moments, and when Croatia were awarded a spot-kick it was already looking bleak for the visitors. Defender Teet Allas handled inside the box to offer Srna the perfect chance to open the scoring, but the midfielder smashed his conversion against the left upright. Croatia, however, stayed on top and continued to plug away at the Estonia back line, finally breaching it in the 39th minute when Eduardo fired in a powerful low shot.

Damage limitation
The Arsenal FC forward doubled the advantage in added time at the end of the first half, collecting a right-wing pass from Luka Modrić and making no mistake with a rasping left-footed drive straight into the top right corner to put the tie beyond doubt. From there on it became a damage-limitation exercise for Estonia, who succeeded by not conceding again and go to F.Y.R. Macedonia on Wednesday.

England 3-0 Russia

Michael Owen scored two first-half goals as England's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying recovery continued at Wembley with a 3-0 victory against Russia at Wembley that sent them second in Group E.

Owen masterclass
A scorer in Saturday's 3-0 triumph over Israel, Owen did not have to wait long to give further cause to proclaim his return to form when he drilled in the opener on seven minutes. He could have doubled the lead soon after but his 40th international goal was not long in coming. Just after the half-hour he applied an emphatic half-volley to Heskey's excellent knock-down and although Russia came back strong they could not break England's stubborn resistance, Rio Ferdinand rounding off the win late on.

Barry cross
Steve McClaren's team's preparations for this fixture were affected by the withdrawals of the injured Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard but if England missed the pair they did not show it. The man that came into the side, Gareth Barry, ensured a perfect start when his cross eluded everyone and fell at the feet of Owen, who controlled before side-footing in off the post. It was only the second goal Russia have conceded in Group E and they almost let in a third when Joe Cole's deflected through-ball fell to Emile Heskey.

Russia revival
The Wigan Athletic FC striker's effort was smothered by Vyacheslav Malafeev, but squirmed out to Owen who slipped with the goal at his mercy. It was not all England, however, as Konstantin Zyrianov saw an effort ruled out for handball but when Owen made it 2-0 on 32 minutes it left Russia with it all to do. Guus Hiddink rang the changes, switching to a 3-4-3 as Bilyaletdinov and Dmitri Sychev found new life and the pair sparked a brief revival just after the restart. Yet England stood firm, and sealed a fourth successive 3-0 qualifying win through Ferdinand six minutes from time.


Andorra 0-6 Croatia

Three goals in either half helped Croatia consolidate their UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E lead in this impressive six-goal showing against Andorra.

Petrić double
Mladen Petrić had scored four goals in the Croatian record-equalling 7-0 home win against David Rodrigo's side last October and the BV Borussia Dortmund player was again on target with two first-half strikes for the visitors. Darijo Srna, Niko Kranjčar, Eduardo da Silva and Ivan Rakitic were the other marksmen on a miserable day for Andorra, compounded by the 77th-minute dismissal of Genís García.

Deadlock broken
There had been little goalmouth action until midway through the first half when Kranjčar shot wide from just outside the area. A minute later, Eduardo headed over the bar from close range as the visitors began to assert their authority. Croatia then went ahead on 34 minutes, when Srna's free-kick deflected off the wall and over the helpless goalkeeper Koldo Álvarez.

Goal flurry
Within four minutes, Slaven Bilić's side had doubled their lead from another set-piece: Petrić curling an exquisite left-footed free-kick past Koldo. The forward then made it 3-0 a minute before the interval with an angled 12-metre drive that crept just inside the far post. After the break, three became four as the unmarked Kranjčar crashed a left-footed strike into the corner from nine metres. And as Andorra's resistance crumbled it was 5-0, Eduardo pouncing from short range after Kranjčar's shot had been blocked on the line on 55 minutes.

Red card
Croatia's dominance was total and a sixth goal duly arrived on 64 minutes, when substitute Rakitic poked in the rebound after Koldo had parried Petrić's curling free-kick. Rakitic, Kranjčar and substitute Boško Balaban all came close late on, but despite the sending-off of García for a late tackle on Rakitic, there would be no repeat of last October's scoreline.

F.Y.R. Macedonia 1-1 Estonia

F.Y.R. Macedonia failed to complete the double over Group E rivals Estonia despite dominating for large periods as they pushed in vain for a winning goal in Skopje.

Early onslaught
Despite struggling against an early Estonia onslaught, which earned the visitors a 17th-minute lead through Raio Piiroja's strike, the Macedonians equalised on the half-hour when Goran Maznov headed in a corner. The subsequent rash of chances that they forced could not produce a winner.

Estonia on top
Estonia had the better of the first half and capitalised when Piiroja drove a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Petar Milosevski to give his team a deserved advantage. The hosts responded, though, and Maznov restored parity when he met Darko Tasevski's inswinging corner with a towering header. Estonia then came close to regaining the initiative late in the half, Piiroja volleying a Joel Lindpere corner just wide.

Turnaround
After the break Srečko Katanec's men began to assert themselves and Maznov screwed a shot off target from inside the penalty box. Maznov again threatened after Aleksandr Dmitrijev had fouled substitute Artim Polozani on the left wing; the midfielder dusted himself down to cross the resulting free-kick for the impressive Maznov to nod centimetres wide.

Macedonian miss
Another F.Y.R. Macedonia forward, Aco Stojkov, also squandered a late opportunity when he failed to trouble Pavel Londak from close range. The draw leaves the home side in fifth place in Group E on eight points, while their opponents trail four points behind having played a game more. The Macedonians had won 1-0 in Estonia in August 2006.

UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group E

England 3-0 Estonia

England continued their fine progress towards the UEFA EURO 2008™ finals, recording a fifth successive 3-0 Group E victory against Estonia at Wembley to go five points clear of third-placed Russia.

Cole concern
Shaun Wright-Phillips broke the deadlock after just eleven minutes and it set the tone as Estonia struggled to deal with England's crisp passing. By half-time they were 3-0 down following two strikes in as many minutes – a goal from Wayne Rooney and a Taavi Rähn own goal. This allowed Steve McClaren's men to ease off ahead of Wednesday's pivotal meeting with Russia in Moscow though they may go into that game without Ashley Cole who was carried off with a serious-looking ankle injury.

Rooney relief
It was a disappointing footnote to a match that had begun brightly when Wright-Phillips linked up with Gareth Barry and Micah Richards before drilling an acute effort between Mart Poom's legs; it was the platform for an impressive first half from England. On 32 minutes the advantage was doubled when Joe Cole crossed to Rooney and the Manchester United FC man grabbed his first international goal in eleven months, firing in as Poom was wrong-footed by a deflection off Raio Piiroja.

Lescott debut
The goalkeeper was left stranded again a minute later when Ashley Cole sent in a deep cross that was met 18 metres out by the lunging head of the back-tracking Rähn, who watched in horror as his connection nestled inside the near post. Three goals up at half-time, McClaren was afforded the luxury of taking off Rio Ferdinand for debutant Joleon Lescott, with the former being one of four England players a yellow card away from suspension. Another, Ashley Cole, soon joined him on the sidelines but in less pleasant circumstances and even as England cruised through the second half, his fitness will have been preying on McClaren's mind.

Croatia 1-0 Israel

Eduardo da Silva's second-half goal for Croatia secured a victory that leaves them on the brink of qualification for UEFA EURO 2008™.

One win away
Top of Group E at kick-off, the win against Israel moves Croatia eight points clear of third-placed Russia, who have only three games left starting with the Wednesday visit of England. Even if Russia prevail there, victories in F.Y.R. Macedonia or England next month would ensure Croatia's berth in the finals. Israel's hopes, strong so for long, are over.

Olić denied
Before a 35,000-strong crowd at the Maksimir Stadium, Croatia dominated from the start but Israel's defence was holding firm. The home side's best chance in the first half came when Jerko Leko's 15th-minute header fell to the feet of Ivica Olić, whose shot produced a point-blank save from Nir Davidovich.

Eduardo strikes
Croatia's territorial supremacy paid off seven minutes into the second half. Vedran Ćorluka's cross from the right fell perfectly for Eduardo to strike the ball past the Israel goalkeeper. Now Israel were forced to attack and Yossi Benayoun's shot from distance was denied by Stipe Pletikosa. Yet Croatia's points were safe and Davidovich did well to prevent Darijo Srna's free-kick doubling the lead. Slaven Bilić's men can now relax on Wednesday and hope that England make their November fixtures a formality.

UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group E

Russia 2-1 England

Russia substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko struck twice on his club ground to put his country's UEFA EURO 2008™ fate in their own hands with a dramatic comeback victory against England.

Pavlyuchenko heroics
The visitors led just before the half-hour through a Wayne Rooney volley, and looked good for the win that would have secured qualification for both themselves and Croatia from Group E. But FC Spartak Moksva forward Roman Pavlyuchenko was brought on early in the second half and equalised with a penalty before scoring again four minutes later to the delight of the Luzhniki Stadium fans.

England ahead
Konstantin Zyrianov had forced Paul Robinson into a save on 25 minutes, the goalkeeper tipping his shot on to the post, and that proved valuable as just before the half-hour a Micah Richards clearance was flicked on by Michael Owen and Rooney, just onside, lifted the ball above Vladimir Gabulov and in. As Russia searched for a swift equaliser, Yuri Zhirkov sent away Igor Semshov but Joe Cole dashed back to make a sliding challenge.

Substitutions
Dmitri Torbinskiy, used to the artificial surface from his club games with Spartak, was a half-time introduction, but England came close to doubling the lead when Gareth Barry's cross fell to the unmarked Steven Gerrard yet the stand-in captain sliced his volley wide. Coach Guus Hiddink introduced the other available Spartak player, Pavlyuchenko, and Russia started to attack, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov being denied by a Sol Campbell tackle after a one-two with Andrei Arshavin.

Turnaround
The equaliser then arrived as Rooney tripped Zyrianov just inside the box and Pavlyuchenko's penalty was too strong for Robinson. Four minutes later Pavlyuchenko struck again, first to the rebound after Robinson had saved Arshavin's shot. Shaun Wright-Phillips nearly managed a quick leveller, but he was kept out and Russia held on. Wins in Israel and Andorra next month would take Russia through, even if England defeat Croatia on 21 November.

F.Y.R. Macedonia 3-0 Andorra

F.Y.R. Macedonia are assured of finishing no lower than fifth in Group E after cruising to an impressive 3-0 win against bottom side Andorra in Skopje.

Andorra struggle
First-half strikes from Ilco Naumoski and Goce Sedloski put the home team firmly in command and a repeat of the 3-0 scoreline they had suffered in the reverse fixture 12 months ago always appeared likely. Goran Pandev ensured just that before the hour mark and with Andorra unable to create significant openings at the other end, F.Y.R. Macedonia eased to victory.

Strong start
It was a result that seemed on the cards when Srečko Katanec's men started with great purpose. Pandev should have broken the deadlock on ten minutes but shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. This failed to dampen their enthusiasm, however, and they took a deserved lead on the half-hour when Naumoski latched on to Pandev's neat through ball, shrugged off the attentions of two Andorra defenders and rifled in.

Pandev impresses
The home side doubled their advantage a minute before half-time when defender Sedloski capitalised on hesitant Andorra defending, collecting a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and volleying low into the bottom corner. The visitors had scored just twice in their previous nine UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers and a comeback was quite unlikely, but the influential Pandev nevertheless made the points safe in the 59th minute after good work from Naumoski. It left point-less Andorra rooted to the foot of the table, four points behind Estonia, while F.Y.R. Macedonia are on eleven.

Group E
Russia's 2-1 reverse in Israel means Croatia, three points clear at the top, are guaranteed at least second place despite going down 2-0 in F.Y.R Macedonia. It also restored England's hopes of progress for, with a two-point lead over Russia, they now need only a point at Wembley while the Russians face Andorra.

Croatia ended the hopes of England

England 2-3 Croatia

A late long-range goal from substitute Mladen Petrić sent Croatia to UEFA EURO 2008™ as Group E winners and ended the hopes of England, who had battled back from two goals down in a gripping encounter.

Rousing contest
Needing only a draw to progress, England made the worst possible start as Niko Kranjčar and Ivica Olić found the net in the first quarter-hour to put Croatia in command. The home side rallied in the second period, however, Frank Lampard halving the deficit from the penalty spot in the 56th minute before Peter Crouch volleyed the equaliser nine minutes later but just as it looked as if England would earn the point they needed, Petrić drilled in with 13 minutes left to finally kill off their challenge.

Croatia in control
Scott Carson replaced Paul Robinson in goal for England but that decision backfired within eight minutes as Kranjčar cut inside from the left and unleashed a dipping shot that squirmed through the goalkeeper and into the net. Although Shaun Wright-Phillips drew a save from Stipe Pletikosa almost immediately, the visitors doubled their advantage with a clinical counterattack in the 14th minute, Eduardo da Silva slipping Olić through to round Carson and roll in.

England rally
England manager Steve McClaren brought on a second forward in Jermain Defoe and David Beckham – for his 99th cap – at half-time and, although Eduardo was denied by Carson's legs, the changes revived England. Lampard sent Pletikosa the wrong way from the spot eleven minutes after the restart following Josip Šimunić's tug on Defoe, although Carson then had to make two fine saves from Olić. Those looked crucial as the home side equalised five minutes past the hour, Crouch collecting Beckham's right-wing cross on his chest and volleying into the corner of the net.

2-3 England vs. Croatia | EURO 2008 Q

Petrić stunner
Croatia, however, refused to settle for a point and continued to press forward looking for a third goal, getting their reward in the 77th minute as two substitutes combined to devastating effect. Danijel Pranjić slipped a pass inside for Petrić to drill a 25-metre shot across Carson and restore Croatia's lead and, despite pressing forward in the final ten minutes, England's efforts were all in vain.


Andorra 0-1 Russia


Russia took advantage of England's defeat against Croatia by beating Andorra to secure an unexpected place at UEFA EURO 2008™ as runners-up in Group E.

Sychev winner
Russia’s chances looked to have gone when they lost in Israel on Saturday, but Croatia’s victory at Wembley opened the door and Guus Hiddink's side forced their way through it by the narrowest of margins. Dmitri Sychev scored the all important goal just before the break to earn victory for a Russian side that also missed a penalty and finished the game with ten men following Andrei Arshavin’s late dismissal.

Wembley cheer
Russia began slowly and the opening minutes were evenly balanced. News then quickly spread around the ground that Croatia had gone ahead at Wembley. There was an even bigger cheer soon afterwards as the Russian fans realised England were two down. The Russia supporters urged on their side but Andorra goalkeeper Koldo Álvarez kept the visitors at bay, saving well from Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Denis Kolodin.

Sychev decider
Russia got the breakthrough five minutes before half-time. The inspiration came from the bench as substitute Dmitri Torbinskiy set up a goal with his first touch. The FK Spartak Moskva winger found space on the right and crossed for Sychev who headed over the advancing Álvarez and into the empty net.

Andorra - Russia 0-1 | EURO 2008 Qualifier

Penalty save
Russia spurned a great chance to go two ahead just before the interval after Álvarez brought down Kerzakhov in the area. The Andorra keeper injured himself in the process but got up to make an excellent save from Kolodin's spotkick. Álvarez could not continue after the break but his replacement José Antonio Gómes was kept busy by the Russian attack, saving twice from Torbinskiy before Kerzakhov had a shot blocked. The visitors lost some of their momentum when news came through that England had levelled at 2-2 with Croatia, but cheers soon broke out again when Russia's fans learned of Croatia's third goal. Arshavin was sent off late on for violent conduct but Russia would soon be celebrating.



Israel 1-0 F.Y.R. Macedonia

Israel ended their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign on a high as Elyaniv Barda's first-half header earned victory against F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Even contest
The visitors, weekend conquerors of Group E leaders Croatia 2-0, were worthy opponents for an Israel side buoyed by their dramatic win over Russia, but despite long periods of pressure, they could not find a response to Barda's 35th-minute goal.

Impasse
The game's first chance had come when Israel's Maor Bar Buzaglo tested goalkeeper Petar Milosevski from 20 metres, while Velice Sumulikoski tried his luck from distance at the other end. F.Y.R. Macedonia were holding their own and almost broke the deadlock when Aco Stojkov wriggled past Tal Ben Haim only to drag his shot wide of the upright.

Powerful header
The goal arrived ten minutes from half-time. Full-back Yuval Shpungin took a throw-in on the right, burst to the byline after receiving a clever backheel from Barak Itzhaki, and chipped over a cross which Barda – a goalscorer against Russia – powered past Milosevski. Darko Tasevski immediately threatened an equaliser and Srečko Katanec's side continued to press at the start of the second half when Vlatko Grozdanovski shot wide.

Late chance
Israel's counterattacking almost paid dividends with 20 minutes to go, substitute Ben Sahar seeing his strike smothered by Milosevski. Sumulikoski and Barda traded efforts, Sahar had another attempt kept out by Milosevski, before the visitors were denied a late equaliser when Slavco Georgievski's header was directed over his own crossbar by defender Dekel Keinan. The win took Dror Kashtan's Israel on to 23 points from their 12 matches, nine above their opponents.