Azerbaijan came into the match as huge underdogs. Even their fans harbored no hopes about the outcome of the match in Moscow. According to a survey by one of Azerbaijan’s biggest sport sites, Azerisport.com, 60 per cent of the respondents believed that Berti Vogts’ team will go down against Russia.

But the guests looked pretty confident at Luzhniki stadium. They didn’t create much near Igor Akinfeev’s goals but defended well… with just a little help from the referee.

Belgian Serge Gumienny could’ve pointed to the spot twice – first, after Igor Semshov was brought down in Azeri box on 15 minutes and 2 minutes later when Rashad Sadigov blocked Igor Denisov’s effort with his hand – but the whistle remained silent.

Russia couldn’t score for half an hour but then Pavlyuchenko thanked Hiddink for his trust. Super-Pav delivered a super free kick on 32 minutes. The ball dived in front of the goalkeeper after his powerful shot, leaving Farkhad Veliyev no chance to save, 1-0.

Substitute Alan Dzagoev, who replaced captain Sergey Semak, missed a great chance to double the score on 62 minutes. The youngster, who found him self with the ball some 13 meters opposite the Azeri goals, fumbled.

But the second goal was just a matter of time. 9 minutes later Pavlyuchenko delivered the ball to Konstantin Zyrianov and Zenit midfielder calmly cut the ball into the net from sharp angle, 2-0.

The guests came close to grabbing the conciliation goal in stoppage time. Akinfeev had no chance to reach Vagif Javadov’s shot from outside the box, but the keeper was helped by the post, and the score didn’t change.

“We could nave played better. We are always very critical of ourselves. We could’ve played better in the attack, and we should’ve created some more chances and scored one or two more. On the other hand, defensively we didn’t experience many problems until the last three of four minutes,” Guus Hiddink said.

Berti Vogts, meanwhile, was pleased with his side's performance despite the defeat, saying that a game with a top side like Russia was a great experience for his men.

Guus Hiddink’s men sit second behind Germany in Group 4, with 9 points after 4 games. Russia’s next qualifier against Liechtenstein is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1.

Wales 0-2 Finland

Welsh dreams of playing in South Africa have been put in question at their home Millennium Stadium. Two strikes from Finland’s Jonathan Johansson and Shefki Kuqi gave a vital victory to the hosts.

The result allowed them to overtake Wales in the Grope 4 standings. They now have 7 points after 4 games.

Germany 4-0 Lichtenstein

Russia's main rivals for the first place in the group, Germany, outclassed Lichtenstein with ease. Michael Ballack, Marcell Jansen, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski scored a goal each to give the hosts a 4-0 win. Germany is on top of Group 4 with 13 points after 5 games.

As expected, Russia are again 4 points behind Joachim Loew’s side, who have played a game more.

The top side in the group qualifies for next summer's tournament in South Africa, while the team in second enters a play-off.