Two goals for Alexander Panov and one from Valery Karpin five minutes from time shattered the French who had fought back from 1-0 down with second-half goals by Emmanuel Petit and Sylvain Wiltord.

France played some neat football and made most of chances but they always looked vulnerable to Russian breakaways.

Ukraine thrashed Andorra 4-0 and top Group IV with 14 points, two ahead of Iceland, who beat Armenia 2-0. France are third on 11, with Russia on nine.

France's hopes of topping the Group are now likely to depend on their trip to Ukraine in September but even second position and a place in the play-offs is not guaranteed.

There were no such problems for Sweden, Norway, Italy and the Czech Republic, who all look assured of qualification after good results, but England face an uphill task.

The Swedes drew 0-0 with 10-man England at Wembley to take commandof Group V while the Czechs' 2-0 win in Estonia gave them a massive 10 point lead in Group IX.

The Czechs were given an unexpected bonus from the Faroe Islands who scored a last minute equaliser to earn a surprise 1-1 home draw with Scotland.Norway won 2-1 in Albania and are seven points clear in Group II while Italy cruised past Wales 4-0 in Group I.