Scorer: Dmitry Sychev 39

Missed penalty: Denis Kolodin (Russia) 45+1

Red Card: Andrei Arshavin (Russia) 84

Halftime: 0-1

Russia clinched their place in Euro 2008 with a nervy 1-0 win over Group E whipping boys Andorra after rivals England slumped to a 3-2 defeat at home to already-qualified Croatia on Wednesday.

Russia claimed the narrow win thanks to a 39th-minute header from striker Dmitry Sychev but they made hard work of it, missing a penalty just before halftime and playing the closing minutes with 10 men after the sending off of striker Andrei Arshavin.

The win allowed Guus Hiddink's side to leapfrog England and finish second in the group behind Croatia, a point ahead of Steve McClaren's side.

Defeat meant that Andorra lost all of their European champion qualifiers for the second time in succession, scoring just two goals and conceding 42 in their 12 games.

Russia sparked into life after a hesitant start at the Estadi Comunal when they became aware that England were trailing 2-0 at home to Croatia but they were frustrated by some fine keeping by Koldo.

The Andorra keeper made several fine saves to deny the Russian strikers, stopping a Sychev effort with his feet and then saving a long range effort from defender Denis Kolodin.

Hiddink threw on midfielder Dmitry Torbinsky in place of Vasily Berezutsky in the 38th minute in an attempt to break the deadlock and his move paid off immediately.

Torbinsky found space on the right and clipped a cross into the area where Sychev was on hand to head past Koldo.

The visitors had a chance to extend their lead before halftime when they were awarded a penalty after Sevilla striker Alexander Kerzhakov was brought down by Koldo in the area, but Kolodin missed the spot kick.

The visitors concentrated on defending their lead in the second half with neither side enjoying any clear chances except for a Kerzhakvov header and a blast over the bar from Andorra midfielder Marc Bernaus.

There was a nervous finale for the Russians, though, as they had to play the closing minutes with 10 men after striker Andrei Arshavin was sent off for a wild challenge on Ildefons Lima.

Teams:

Andorra: 1-Koldo (13-Jose Antonio Gomes 46); 5-Toni Lima, 4-Oscar Sonejee (14-Gabi Riera 83), 6-Ildefons Lima, 3-Marc Bernaus; 2-Jordi Escura, 8-Antoni Sivera, 12-Sergio Moreno, 10-Manolo Jimenez, 11-Justo Ruiz; 7-Marcio Vieira (18-Xavi Andorra 50)

Russia: 30-Vladimir Gabulov; 22-Alexander Anyukov, 2-Vasily Berezutsky (7-Dmitry Torbinsky 38), 27-Alexei Berezutsky, 25-Denis Kolodin; 17-Konstantin Zyryanov, 15-Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, 18-Yuri Zhirkov, 10-Andrei Arshavin; 11-Alexander Kerzhakov, 26-Dmitry Sychev

Referee: Terje Hauge