Russia 4 Ireland 2
Ireland's World Cup heroes were well beaten by the slick Russians as they opened their Euro 2004 campaign with a crushing defeat.
Much of the damage was done in the first half as Russia put themselves on top with goals from Andrei Kariaka after 20 minutes and Vladimire Beschastnykn five minutes later.
Tottenham's Gary Doherty came off the bench to pull a goal back after 68 minutes, but Alexander Kerzhakov restored the two-goal cushion a minute later.
Clinton Morrison added to the drama when he reduced the deficit after 74 minutes, but hopes of a miraculous comeback ended with Phil Babb's own goal five minutes before the end.
Ireland's luck was summed up with five minutes remaining as their hopes of salvaging a point were ended by an own goal.
Phil Babb, back in the squad from the wilderness, had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds when he became the hapless culprit.
Kerzhakov raced clear and as he closed on goal he saw his shot hit Given on the chest. But the rebound struck Babb and went over the line to complete Ireland's misery.
Full report to follow