Ireland off to nightmare start

Russia 2, Ireland 0 (latest)

Ireland are two goals down after 26 minutes in their European Championship qualifier match against Russia in Moscow.

Steve Finnan was having a nightmare at right-back and was caught napping as the ball was played to Kariaka for the first goal.

He cut inside before coolly slipping the ball past Given to send the home fans wild with excitement.

Ireland desperately needed someone to put their foot on the ball and calm things down, but that never materialised.

Then, in the 25th minute, McCarthy’s men found themselves two goals behind.

The ball was lost in the centre of midfield by Matt Holland and the Russians cleverly worked it to Vladimir Beschastnykn just inside the box. The defenders stood off him and the Spartak Moscow striker gave Given little chance as he swept home his 26th international goal.

Shellshocked Ireland were left with a mountain to climb with less than half an hour played. They came from one goal down on three occasions during the World Cup, but it was going to take a mighty effort to salvage something from this game.

Keane was trying hard, but nothing was coming off for him as the home side defended stoutly.

Russia had to make a change of their own after 29 minutes when Rolan Gusev was replaced by Andrei Solomatin.