ENGLAND'S hopes of qualifying for the European Championships took a knock when they were beaten 2-1 in Russia.Wayne Rooney gave Steve McClaren's men a first half lead but Russia hit back with two goals from Roman Pavlunchenko, in a devastating four-minute spell at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

ENGLAND'S hopes of qualifying for the European Championships took a knock when they were beaten 2-1 in Russia.

Wayne Rooney gave Steve McClaren's men a first half lead but Russia hit back with two goals from Roman Pavlunchenko, in a devastating four-minute spell at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

England must now beat Croatia next month and hope Russia drop points away against either Israel or Andorra.