After dominating the first half and clearly the better team, Russia were caught off guard in the second half when Ireland came back with two goals but they maintained their composure, scored another goal leading them to victory over the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2010 qualifier.

The game took place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday. 

Goals in the first half came from Alan Dzagoev and Alexander Kerzhakov and in the second half from Roman Shirokov.

Wanting more than anything to get back in the game the Irish responded with a penalty from Robbie Keane and another goal from Shane Long.

The loss for Ireland doesn't mean the end of the road for the boys in green. 

They still have a number of other games to play and it will be imperative they put Friday's loss behind them and concentrate  on the Slovakia game on Tuesday. 

Slovakia's defeat to Armenia earlier in the day had left the door open for these sides.

Ireland remain top of Group B on goal difference.

Republic of Ireland: 1 Given; 4 O'Shea, 2 St Ledger, 5 Dunne, 3 Kilbane; 7 Lawrence (14 Long (62), 6 Whelan (15 Gibson '66), 8 Green, 11 McGeady; 9 Doyle (12 Fahey '71), 10 Keane.

Subs not used: 16 Westwood, 13 McShane, 17 Keogh, 18 Cunningham.

Booked: St Ledger, Doyle.

Russia: 1 Akinfeev; 2 Anyukov, 3 V Beretzutsky, 4 Ignashevich, 5 Zhirkov; 6 Shirokov, 7 Denisov, 8 Zyranov (15 Semshov '68); 11 Dzagoev (14 A Beretzutsky '85), 10 Arshavin; 9 Kerzhakov (16 Pogrebynak '80).

Subs not used: 12 Gabulov, 17 Bystrov, 18 Bilyaletdinov, 19 Bukharov.

Booked: Denisov, A Beretzutsky.