A second-half collapse in Moscow left England's Euro 2008 qualifying hopes out of their hands as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Russia.

Steve McClaren's side appeared to be cruising thanks to a stunning Wayne Rooney volley, but two goals in four minutes from substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko - one a contentious penalty - turned the match on its head.

Even if they win their final match against Croatia, England will not reach next summer's finals as long as Russia win in Israel and Andorra. The Croats could yet fail to qualify in the unlikely event that they lose to Macedonia and lose to England by three goals.

Much of the build-up centred around the 'plastic' pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium but it performed well, as you would expect from a surface that has hosted dozens of domestic and Champions League games. A far cry from the ludicrous bounce of Kenilworth Road in the 1980s.

Chaotic second-half defending, not a synthetic playing area, may well cost England their place in Austria and Switzerland, and could earn McClaren the sack just as it appeared he was winning over a sceptical public.

For more than an hour, it seemed like plain sailing as the visitors went in front and easily held off a toothless Russian side.

The national anthem was Russia's most exciting contribution to the first half. The famous tune was belted out in spine-tingling fashion while fans held up coloured cards to create an enormous Russian flag.

Guus Hiddink must have wished his players had the same kind of choreography and flair. Time and again they reached promising positions, only to resort to the same ball out wide to wing-backs Aleksandr Anyukov and Yuri Zhirkov.

Operating with Aleksandr Kerzhakov as a lone striker and at times packing six men into a congested midfield, it was hardly surprising the hosts had plenty of possession but little goal threat.

Rooney volleyed weakly wide early on, but if it acted as a sighter for his second attempt on goal after 29 minutes, it was well worth it.

The much-hyped pitch played no part as Micah Richards lobbed a high ball that Michael Owen - doing his best Emile Heskey impression - leapt high to flick on to Rooney.

The Manchester United man controlled with his chest and despatched a thumping volley into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Although the shot was into the centre of the goal, it had too much pace for Vladimir Gabulov to deal with.

Replays showed Rooney was marginally offside, but there were few complaints from the Russia players and none from the travelling fans, sent into raptures by the forward's second goal in as many games.

Pavlyuchenko came on for the ineffective Kerzhakov just before the hour mark, and immediately unleashed a shot on goal.

He got another chance on 69 minutes after Rooney was adjudged to have tugged Konstantin Zyrianov back inside the box. Where the England man got lucky for his goal, he was desperately unlucky with the penalty, as the contact was clearly outside the box.

The Russian striker powered his spot-kick low into the left corner to level the scores but he was not finished.

Just 240 seconds later Paul Robinson could only parry an Alexei Berezutski shot - another goalkeeping imperfection - and Pavlyuchenko fought off Joleon Lescott to prod home from close range.

It was nothing less than both sides deserved; Russia for their improved performance after the break, England for their hapless defending.

After such a solid first half, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell looked like strangers in the centre of defence, while full-backs Lescott and Micah Richards saw their relative inexperience exposed.

Rooney hit the post with a left-foot shot, but if anything the late introduction of Peter Crouch, Stewart Downing and Frank Lampard disrupted what little flow England had.

After four consecutive 3-0 wins, McClaren's side looked to have one foot in the Alps as they sauntered towards Euro 2008. Now they - and their manager - have one foot in the grave.

Alex Chick / Eurosport