Veteran Greek goalkeeper Nikopolidis rushed out of his goal and along the byline to retrieve a deep cross only to miss out and allow Sergei Semak to hook the ball back into the box for Konstantin Zyryanov (34) to tap home.

It was a gift for Russia in Salzburg - who can still reach the last eight with a win over Sweden in their final group game - while Spain have now qualified for the knock-out stage.

Coach Otto Rehhagel attempted to put Greece's elimination from Euro 2008 into perspective and finished with a round of applause from journalists for a speech straight out of Jose Mourinho's textbook.

He said: "I think the Acropolis has been around for several thousand years, and we won't be around for that long - that keeps it in perspective.

"I've said this before, Greece is a country where democracy was born so you can say what you want. Germany is also democracy which is why I'm free to say whatever I want.

"In 2004 a miracle happened but maybe it happens once every 30 years. You can't have it every week, or it wouldn't be a miracle."

Russia coach Guus Hiddink said: "Everyone saw that this team is capable of playing good football, but not smelling where the danger is.

"I'm very proud how they reacted when in the last few days we had good sessions but also tense sessions where I wanted to see how they reacted.

"I'm happy with the reaction because the results are good football with everyone doing their job defensively.

"In the first half we conceded too many free-kicks and they could have harmed us but we changed a little bit and from then on their main attacking weapon was out of their game.''