Brave Wales beaten

Wales suffered World Cup heartbreak in rain-sodden Moscow as they lost 2-1 despite pushing Euro 2008 semi-finalists Russia to the limits.

Wales youngster Gareth Bale missed a penalty after being brought down in the first half, with new Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring from a Russian spot-kick soon after.

Then with 23 minutes to go Joe Ledley swept home a Wales equaliser, before substitute Pavel Pogrebnyak saved Russia's faces with a winner 10 minutes from time.

From the start Wales defended 10 yards inside their own half, conceding possession and looking to run themselves ragged for the cause.

But amazingly the first time Wales got into Russia's penalty area they were gifted the chance to take the lead in the 15th minute.

Bale was tripped by Russia captain Sergei Semak but for the second successive match Wales missed a penalty. The Spurs left-back took the kick himself but Igor Akinfeev flung himself to his right to palm the effort round the post.

And Wales were made to pay as in the 23rd minute when Carl Robinson, who had been booked for an earlier foul, was penalised again as he felled Yuri Zhirkov but there were more severe consequences.

Up stepped Pavlyuchenko to blast the penalty past Wayne Hennessey. It was a cruel blow for Wales.

John Toshack's men were level in the second half though as Bale surged into the box on the right, got to the line and pulled the ball back for Ledley to grab his second goal for his country.

But with 10 minutes left Russia took the lead again. Andrei Arshavin crossed from the left and Hennessey made a fine save from Konstantin Zyrianov's header but Pogrebnyak drove home as the ball bounced to him.