MOSCOW, October 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russia drew 1-1 with Azerbaijan on Wednesday night in their last World Cup qualifier.
Arsenal's Andrei Arshavin put Russia ahead in the 13th minute with a close-range strike, but Azerbaijan's Vagif Javadov leveled the scoreline nine minutes into the second half with a long-range drive.
Russia's trainer, Guus Hiddink, had fielded an experimental lineup for a match that had no bearing on Group 4's final ranking, with Russia assured of second place behind Germany and a chance in the playoffs, and Azerbaijan in fifth place with no chance of qualification.
Germany defeated Russia 1-0 in Moscow on Saturday to finish with 26 points, with Russia on 22.
In contrast to Russia's shaky performance, Ukraine - one of Russia's possible opponents in the playoffs - cruised to a 6-0 demolition of Andorra.
