Russia halts World Cup qualifying drought

Visiting Russia qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 12 years by drawing 1-1 with 10-men Azerbaijan on Tuesday in Baku.

Russia finished on top of Group F standings with 22 points. Portugal beat 10-man Luxembourg 3-0 to come second, one point behind, and will enter the playoffs.

Roman Shirokov opened the scoring for Russia in the 16th minute from a cutting pass from Alexander Samedov. Vagif Javadov headed in the equalizer in the 90th.

Azerbaijan was reduced to 10 men in the 73rd when Maksim Medvedev was given a red card for a rough tackle.

Russia last qualified for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea in 2002.