Russia's hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup finals in eight years have suffered a major setback after Euro 2008 finalists Germany beat them 2-1 in Dortmund.

The Germans didn’t hang around to get on the score sheet, Bayern Munich's Lucas Podolski showing his considerable strength to make it 1-0 with only 9 minutes on the clock.

The Germans' free-flowing counter attack football payed off again 28 minutes later – Michael Ballack getting on the end of Bastien Schweinsteiger's cross.

A different Russia came out after the break though and halved the deficit after 51 minutes. A defensive mistake allowed Aleksandr Anyukov to burst into the box and beat the goalkeeper at the near post, allowing Andrei Arshavin to tap home.

Elsewhere, Russia's group four rivals Finland and Wales won against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein respectively.

Some other highlights of the evening saw European champions Spain keep their 100% winning record intact against Estonia.

World cup holders Italy only managed a no-score draw against Bulgaria.

England thrashed Kazakhstan 5-1.

Also in that group Ukraine and Croatia drew.

Surprise group seven table toppers Lithuania suffered their first defeat against Serbia.

France and Romania finished 2-2 after a thriller in Constantsa.

While in the shock of the day, part-timers the Faroe Islands managed to get a 1-1 draw with Austria.