Rep of Ireland 2-3 Russia

A defeat that could've been worse. We had to thank Robbie Keane for winning a penalty in the 70th minute to get ourselves within a fighting chance of winning while a late Shane Long 2nd confirmed a late rally for an equiliser.
Russia were fantastic to their credit by opening up our defense at any given opportunity and while their 3rd goal might have had the element of luck with a deflection in off the post past a helpless Shay Given there was no luck involved in their other two goals.
Alexander Kerzhakov continued his blistering form with the first goal that came from a free-kick out on the far side. Kerzhakov managed to avade Glenn Whelan before stabbing home off Seán St Ledger on the line.
The 2nd goal was pure class with Andrey Arshavin involved and teeing up a wonderful cross for Alan Dzagoev to side foot brilliently past Given. A goal of pure quality and pace which knocked us out of our stride.
Before the goals though Robbie Keane hit the bar with a cross that otherwise would've met Kevin Doyle for the Wolves man to head into the net in front of the Russian fans. Aiden McGeady now of Spartak Moskva had a mixed night to be fair but his pace late on was troubling the Russian rearguard.
With Slovakia after going down 3-1 in Armenia it was important to get a good result in this game but despite the late rally it was not to be as Russia joined but us and Slovakia on six points in Group 2 with both Macedonia and Armenia two points further back with Andorra languishing at the bottom yet to pick up a point after they lost today at home to Macedonia by two goals to nil.