Played
October 8, 2010 7:45 PM BST
Aviva Stadium — Dublin
Referee: K. Blom
Attendance: 50411
October 8, 2010 7:45 PM BST
Aviva Stadium — Dublin
Referee: K. Blom
Attendance: 50411
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| Ireland | 2.60 | 51.00 | 0.00 | 2.50 | 67.00 |
| Draw | 3.20 | 7.50 | 0.00 | 3.20 | 8.00 |
| Russia | 2.70 | 1.10 | 0.00 | 2.88 | 1.13 |
Top of the Match
Roman Shirokov
Russia
Russia
Aleksandr Kerzhakov
Russia
Russia
Flop of the Match
John O'Shea
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Robbie Keane
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Republic of Ireland 2-3 Russia: Irish fail to complete comeback despite goals from Shane Long & Robbie Keane in Euro 2012 qualifier
Trapattoni's trailed 3-0 down in Dublin...
By David Schiavone
Going into the game top of Group B, Republic of Ireland were humbled by a dominant Russia team for most of the game, but goals from Aleksander Kerzhakov, Roman Shirokov and a maiden international goal from Alan Dzagoev gave the away side a comfortable win despite a Robbie Keane penalty and Shane Long strike offering the home team hope.
The home side had the early momentum, roared on by an expectant Aviva Stadium crowd and could have gone ahead when a series of chances were created after an Aiden McGeady shot was parried by Igor Akinfeev into the path of Keane but his cross come shot bounced off the bar, then Glen Whelan's follow-up cross was too long for McGeady who went down looking for a penalty.
This early scare gave the Russians the wakeup call they needed and moments later they went ahead thanks to Aleksander Kerzhakov who blasted in from six yards. The goal followed a dubious free-kick which was flighted over and spilled at the near post by Shay Given into the path of Sergey Ignashevich whose overhead kick cross found the unmarked Kerzhakov.
Russia were looking to attack at every opportunity, pressing high up the park and pushing both full-backs forward.
This constant pressure eventually caused the Irish to concede once more as Alexander Aniukov made a brilliant run from the right full back position, then playing a low cross into the path of Alan Dzagoev who side footed home for his first international goal.
The away team were having much the better of the game, Kerzhakov in particular worked both channels well creating problems for the Irish defence.
But any hope of a comeback was extinguished just after the restart as Roman Shirokov hit a speculative effort from 20 yards as the Ireland defence backed away, the shot took a wicked deflection off the leg of Richard Dunne to direct it past a helpless Shay Given.
Ireland were then given a lifeline with 20 minutes to go as Yuri Zhirkov tripped Keane in the penalty area, the Tottenham Hotspur forward stepped up and converted the spot kick himself to offer a glimmer of hope for to his team.
Self belief returned to the home side who push their opponents back and scored a second moments later when a Shay Given lumped a long ball into the Russian penalty area, the ball was flicked on to McGeady whose shot was parried by Akinfeev only to fall perfectly for Long who fired into the net.
It wasn't enough though as Russia held on to take a vital victory and three priceless points.
Following the win, Russia have moved to second position in Group B just behind Slovakia, while Ireland have dropped to third position. Both teams are away in their next fixture on Tuesday with Russia taking on Macedonia and Ireland facing Slovakia.
The home side had the early momentum, roared on by an expectant Aviva Stadium crowd and could have gone ahead when a series of chances were created after an Aiden McGeady shot was parried by Igor Akinfeev into the path of Keane but his cross come shot bounced off the bar, then Glen Whelan's follow-up cross was too long for McGeady who went down looking for a penalty.
This early scare gave the Russians the wakeup call they needed and moments later they went ahead thanks to Aleksander Kerzhakov who blasted in from six yards. The goal followed a dubious free-kick which was flighted over and spilled at the near post by Shay Given into the path of Sergey Ignashevich whose overhead kick cross found the unmarked Kerzhakov.
Russia were looking to attack at every opportunity, pressing high up the park and pushing both full-backs forward.
This constant pressure eventually caused the Irish to concede once more as Alexander Aniukov made a brilliant run from the right full back position, then playing a low cross into the path of Alan Dzagoev who side footed home for his first international goal.
The away team were having much the better of the game, Kerzhakov in particular worked both channels well creating problems for the Irish defence.
But any hope of a comeback was extinguished just after the restart as Roman Shirokov hit a speculative effort from 20 yards as the Ireland defence backed away, the shot took a wicked deflection off the leg of Richard Dunne to direct it past a helpless Shay Given.
Ireland were then given a lifeline with 20 minutes to go as Yuri Zhirkov tripped Keane in the penalty area, the Tottenham Hotspur forward stepped up and converted the spot kick himself to offer a glimmer of hope for to his team.
Self belief returned to the home side who push their opponents back and scored a second moments later when a Shay Given lumped a long ball into the Russian penalty area, the ball was flicked on to McGeady whose shot was parried by Akinfeev only to fall perfectly for Long who fired into the net.
It wasn't enough though as Russia held on to take a vital victory and three priceless points.
Following the win, Russia have moved to second position in Group B just behind Slovakia, while Ireland have dropped to third position. Both teams are away in their next fixture on Tuesday with Russia taking on Macedonia and Ireland facing Slovakia.
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