Goals from Lukas Podolski and Michael Ballack had put the Germans in control in Dortmund before Andrei Arshavin halved the deficit early in the second half.

Guus Hiddink's side pressed for the equaliser in the closing stages, but the hosts - with goalkeeper Rene Adler making his debut in place of the injured Robert Enke - stood firm.

Germany now have seven points from their opening three qualifiers in Group Four, one more than second-placed Wales, but Russia, currently fourth, have a game in hand on them both.

Elsewhere in the group, Finland beat Azerbaijan 1-0 in Helsinki with a goal from former Chelsea and Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell.

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Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor scored four goals as Togo routed Swaziland 6-0 in Group 11 of the African qualifying section in Lome.

Adebayor, who missed the last game because he was unhappy about the travel arrangements, had threatened not to play again.

Fortunately for his country he changed his mind, scoring in the first, 29th, 71st and 85th minutes with the other goals coming from Moustapha Salifou and Adekanmi Olufade.

In South America, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid fired Argentina to a 2-1 win over Uruguay.