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Russia ended Wales' slim hopes of qualifying for next summer's World Cup finals with a 3-1 win at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

They were always unlikely to figure in the qualification shake-up following dropped points early on in their campaign, but this defeat sees them mathematically certain to miss out on South Africa 2010.

The scoreline was a little harsh on Wales, who created a string of chances but were unable to finish more than James Collins's 54th minute strike.

Russia did more than enough in the end and goals from Igor Semshov and Sergei Ignashevich created the platform for Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko to finish the job in injury time.

Wales started by far the brighter of the two sides in the opening half and began to create opportunities almost from the first whistle.

Doncaster Rovers debutant Brian Stock almost got his international career off to a fairytale start when his snap shot from distance was deflected narrowly wide of Igor Akinfeev's right-hand post.

Further opportunities came and went for Wales in an opening period where they tested Russia, particularly down the right flank - with Sam Ricketts and Craig Bellamy prominent.

Indeed it was this pair who with the assistance of Joe Ledley carved out the next chance: Ledley headed down Ricketts's cross into the path of Bellamy, who was narrowly beaten to the ball by Akinfeev.

The visitors gradually asserted their authority on the game though and on another night could have been awarded two penalties before Wayne Hennessey was called into action for the first time.

The Wolves keeper had to make a reflex save to stop Danny Gabbidon from scoring an own goal prior to beating away one of many first-half efforts from Alexander Kerzhakov.

Bellamy created the next chance for Wales with another of those right wing crosses, but on this occasion Ledley's header was aimed straight at Akinfeev.

Arshavin had begun to take control of the midfield with some deft touches and incisive passing and inevitably it was the Arsenal man that created the opening goal after 36 minutes.

The Russia captain cut inside from the right before playing a perfect through ball that found Igor Semshov's well-timed run.

The Zenit St Petersburg man took a touch that moved the ball out of the reach of Gabbidon before calmly slotting the ball past Hennessey into the bottom corner.

Wales got themselves back into the match during a 20-minute period of dominance in the second half and could have had more than Collins's flicked effort after 54 minutes, but Aaron Ramsey and David Edwards were unable to finish when well-placed.

When Danny Gabbidon gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box, which Ignashevic blasted home with 20 minutes left, Wales' hopes were almost over and Pavlyuchenko could have added more than his last-minute strike.

The Spurs man hit the bar on 77 minutes before capitalising on some poor defending to hammer home the winner and put an end to another World Cup campaign for Wales.

Germany 4-0 Azerbaijan

Germany striker Miroslav Klose scored twice in 10 minutes to help Germany beat Azerbaijan 4-0 and stay top of Group 4.

Klose, a second-half substitute for Mario Gomez, fired in his first from close range on 55 minutes, after Azerbaijan had been reduced to 10 men following a second booking for Samir Abasov.

Klose cleverly flicked on an Andreas Beck low cross 10 minutes later to make it 3-0.

Captain Michael Ballack had earlier converted a 14th-minute penalty to give the hosts the lead and Lukas Podolski added a fourth after Ballack headed the ball into the striker's path on 71 minutes.

Germany, who lead the group, travel to second-placed Russia in October before wrapping up their campaign against Finland.

Sean Calvert / Eurosport