Brian Kerr's side tamely ended their challenge at the UEFA finals with a defeat to Russia in Beer Sheva. Russia's striker Dmitri Koudriachov scored two superb goals while the Irish defence gifted Alexandre Chechoukov the other.

Ireland didn't create a chance until the 28th minute when Sean Thornton should have finished off a cross from Sean Dillon and then with two minutes before half-time Koudriachov skilfully cut inside Dillon to score.

Ireland's defensive performance reached its nadir eight minutes after the interval when Chechoukov easily headed home, with Koudriachov grabbing his second on 58 minutes. Ireland now play England tomorrow morning, who despite losing to Portugal 2-1 are through to the quarter-finals.

Republic Of Ireland: Henderson (Aston Villa); Brennan (Newscastle Utd), Rossiter (Sunderland), McCarthy (Manchester City), Dillon (Aston Villa); Ward (Wolves), Capper (Sunderland), Fahey (Aston Villa); Thornton (Tranmere), Walker (Leeds Utd), Kearney (Notts Forest). Subs: Kelly (Tottenham) for Capper (51 mins); Graydon (Sunderland) for Walker (63 mins); Snee (Tottenham) for Brennan (68 mins).

Russia: Tchigazov; Tchemogaev, Orlov, Tsvetaev, Nemov, Grigoriev, Chechoukov, Krougliakov, Mikadze, Sytchev, Koudriachov. Subs: Arkhipov for Krougliakov (61 mins); Gazetdinov for Mikadze (63 mins); Zelenovski for Koudriachov (67 mins).

Referee: E Bozinovksi (Macedonia).