Spurs striker keeps Russia on top

Dick Advocaat’s side remain level on points with the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia, who both also won.

Russia’s result was more convincing than their performance.

Marcos Pizelli put the visitors ahead after 25 minutes before Pavlyuchenko took centre stage, the Tottenham striker equalising almost immediately with a volley before making it 2-1 from close range on the hour mark and adding another with a 73rd-minute penalty.

Slovakia edged out Andorra 1-0 in Bratislava. Miroslav Karhan got the only goal in the 63rd minute as Slovakia were largely frustrated by the group’s whipping boys but did enough to take the three points.

In Group G, Montenegro could have pulled two points clear of England but despite taking the lead against Bulgaria they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Podgorica.

Radomir Djalovic put the Montenegrins ahead after 52 minutes, only for Ivelin Popov to grab an equaliser 14 minutes later.

Greece moved to the top of Group F with a 3-1 victory over Malta.

First-half goals from Ioannis Fetfatzidis and Kyriakos Papadopoulos set them on their way.

Although Michael Mifsud got one back for Malta early in the second half, Fetfatzidis soon netted his second to restore the two-goal advantage and lift Greece above Croatia and Israel.

Israel overcame the challenge of hosts Latvia with a 2-1 win to join Croatia on 13 points, one behind Greece.

The visitors dominated the first half and held an interval lead thanks to goals from Yossi Benayoun and Tal Ben-Haim, the latter coming from the penalty spot.

Aleksandrs Cauna gave Latvia hope of a comeback with a spot-kick of his own, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Portugal, Denmark and Norway are locked together on 10 points at the top of Group H.

Portugal won 1-0 at home to Norway, who lost for the first time in their campaign after gathering three wins and a draw from their opening four games. Helder Postiga’s 53rd-minute goal separated the teams.

The Portuguese stand top on goal difference from their two Scandinavian rivals.

Denmark kept their qualifying campaign on track with a 2-0 victory over Iceland.

Goals from Lasse Schone and Christian Eriksen earned Morten Olsen’s men their third win of the campaign.

Iceland continue to prop up the standings.