Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the Republic of Ireland's crucial game with Russia in Moscow

A long ball forward, nodded down by Doyle nearly finds the run of Andrews but it is cleared, Ireland really can't create anything in attack so far.

It is a bit of a mystery how Ireland are not behind here, Russia have squandered some good chances and could live to regret it.

Another shot on goal from Russia, this time from Zyryanov, it has Given sprawling to his left but it flies just narrowly wide of the post.

Incredible block on the line from Richard Dunne!!! Zhirkov does brilliantly in the box skipping past two challenges and laying it off to Semshov just eight yards out, it looked a certain goal as he beat Given but somehow Dunne got across his goal and cut it out as it was heading for the bottom left corner.

Arshavin puts the corner in which is well cleared, it falls to Anyukov 35 yards out who tries a first time volley but it is a long way wide of the target

Anyukov again showing great pace, getting on the end of a ball just before the bye-line, McGeady is back well to cut out his cross though and put it out for a corner.

Russia looking comfortable on the ball and are getting it into the final third, Ireland are defending in numbers though and clear another cross well. It is wave after wave of attack though from the home team.

Ireland really are penned in here, Keane and Doyle have barely had a touch between them and are left to chase lost causes

Zyryanov makes a yard of space on the edge of the box but Andrews is back in the nick of time to make a challenge before he can release his shot, Russia looking dangerous again though.

Ireland win a free-kick of their own thanks to a Vasili Berezutski challenge, Duff angles in the delivery towards the run of Dunne but his challenge is a clumsy one in the air and he concedes a free-kick.

Ignashevich hits the free-kick from all of 40 yards but he doesn't strike it clearly and it rolls harmlessly wide.

Andrews with a clumsy challenge on Semshov as he broke into the Irish half, free-kick to Russia.

Just for a second it seemed Keane was free in the area but he is flagged offside and Ireland continue to be frustrated going forward.

Given make sure it leads to nothing as he is out well to claim it in the air.

Aleksei Berezutski has a crack from long range that was tame but Given spilled it behind for a corner, he will be furious if they concede from this.

Having said that, Russia come very close again!! Kerzhakov breaks down the right and does well to pick out the run of Semshov who was slightly off balance but still produced a well struck volley that was heading for the bottom corner but there was Given again to parry it away.

This is better from Ireland, they are taking the momentum away from Russia by maintaining some possession, crucially in the home team's half

Ireland getting a rare spell of possession in the opposition's half but they can't find any penetration behind the Russian back three.

Heavy challenge on Arshavin from Kelly after he popped up on the left this time, it was fair though and Ireland win a throw-in, despite the Russian captain's protests

It seemed that Arshavin was going to burst into the penalty box after jinking past two challenges, but it just clipped his hand as it bobbled up and a free-kick was given. Unlucky for the Arsenal man.

Some more desperate defending there as Russia look to find an opening on the edge of the area, Richard Dunne looks like he left it for Given for a second but then hammers it out of play. Better safe than sorry.