Russia, Finland win to keep up with Germany

Russia and Finland kept their World Cup qualifications hopes alive in Group 4 with victories over Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan by respective scores of 3-0 and 2-1.

Russia moved to within one point of group leaders Germany, and they jumped out early on minnows Liechtenstein when Vasili Berezutski put the home side in front on 17 minutes.

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko then added two penalties in the 39th and 45th minutes to give Russia a comfortable three-goal they never relinquished.

Finland moved to within five points of second-place Russia with a come-from-behind win in Azerbaijan, 2-1.

Elvin Mammadov stunned the Finns on 49 minutes when he put the home side ahead, but a desperate Scandinvian side came back strong in the final 16 minutes of the game to grab a win.

Markus Heikkinen pulled Finland level in the 74th minute before Petri Pasanen bagged the winner four minutes from time for the visitors.