RUSSIA, Ireland’s next Group B opponents, will go into Tuesday’s clash in Moscow in confident mood after beating John Toshack’s Macedonia in Moscow last night.

Republic of Ireland 2 Russia 3

As confirmed by Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday, the Republic of Ireland line up for tonight’s key Euro 2012 qualifier against Russia with the same team that beat Andorra last month.

Manchester United 1 Zenit St Petersburg 2

ANDREI ARSHAVIN returned from suspension to earn Russia a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 with victory over Sweden in Innsbruck.

Spain 4 Russia 1

ENGLAND’S Euro 2008 hopes — and possibly Steve McClaren’s job — rest in the hands of Israel after Russia completed an astonishing comeback win at the Luzhniki Stadium last night.

Bolton Wanderers 1 Zenit St Petersburg 0

Alexander Kerzhakov bagged a brace as Russia kept alive their slim hopes of qualification for the 2006 World Cup with victory over Group 3 minnows Liechtenstein.

Russia 2 Greece 1

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wielded the axe as his side went into their life-or-death Group A clash with Russia at the Estadio da Luz.

Hosts Portugal’s surprise defeat to Greece in the opening match of the tournament gave both Spain and Russia a huge incentive to go for victory in the second Group A game at the Estadio Algarve.

Russia coach Georgi Yartsev finds himself trying to deal with an horrendous injury crisis before his side’s opening Euro 2004 match against Spain tomorrow.