England 3 Russia 0
12 September 2007
Attendance 86,106
On 12 September, England played Russia in the second of back to back Euro 2008 Championship qualifiers at Wembley Stadium. The team had beaten Israel 3-0 four days prior to the match so were in good spirits for the first meeting between the two nations. England started the match in third position of Group E, three points off leaders Croatia.
John Terry led the England team out to face the Russians to a rapturous Wembley applause. It was a warm evening at Wembley and the stadium was alive with expectant fans as the two teams took to the pitch.
Gareth Barry made a great block in the third minute after an early attempt on goal by Russia's Arshavin.
After Barry's cleared corner the No.7 played the ball straight back onto the feet of Michael Owen who smashed it into the top right corner of the Russian goal.
In the 18th minute the Russians were denied an equaliser from Zyryanov whose shot was disallowed due to a call for hand ball.
England missed a great chance in the 10th minute when Emile Heskey's shot was saved by the Russian keeper. Michael Owen waiting in the wings was unable to reach the ball as it re-bounded of the keeper.
They certainly made up for it when England's former glory duo, Heskey and Owen reignited their old magic to the delight of the Wembley crowd in the 31st minute. Heskey nodded down a cross straight into the path of Owen who smashed it above the keepers head into the top of the net. The crowd went beserk.
Russia started the second half playing with much more attacking flair and Robinson had to make a number of saves. However they didn't trouble England for long.
Just after Peter Crouch, back from suspension replaced Heskey with ten minutes to go, defender Rio Ferdinand picked up a pass from Owen and slid the ball under the keeper making it 3 - 0 to England at Wembley.
The night belonged to England after they dominated most of the play and had most of the chances. Russia had a couple of good attacking periods but never really looked like troubling England's three goal lead.
England took away the crucial three points making them second to Croatia in Group E and a step nearer to Austria and Switzerland.
Michael Owen was named man of the match and the attendance was 86,106.
England return to Wembley on 13 October to face Estonia, again in a Euro 2008 Championship qualifier. This is the first of back to back qualifiers as the team travel to Russia four days later. England then play their last match from this qualifying campaign at Wembley on 21 November against Croatia, after a friendly against Austria on the 16 November.
Click here to view the current Group E table