TEL AVIV - A last-gasp goal from substitute Omer Golan saw Israel beat Russia in Tel Aviv on Saturday to put England's Euro 2008 destiny back in their own hands.
Elyaniv Barda put Israel ahead when he coolly dinked home in the 10th minute after being put through by Barach Yitzhaki.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov equalised just after the hour mark but the Russians were unable to get the winner and then Golan struck in injury time to give the hosts victory.
Steve McClaren's England can now reach Austria and Switzerland by drawing against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.
Dror Kashtan's team have no chance of qualifying for the finals but had lost just two of their last 17 home games heading into this encounter.
The hosts started off on the front foot with Barda and Ben Sahar looking lively up front.
Yitzhaki's shot was comfortably dealt with by Vladimir Gabulov, but the Russia goalkeeper was powerless moments later to keep out Barda's cool finish after he was put through by Yitzhaki.
Russia tested Israel stopper Dudu Auoate for the first time in the 16th minute but the Deportivo La Coruna keeper easily caught Yuri Zhirkov's long-range shot.
Bilyaletdinov fired in a couple more efforts from distance but neither troubled Aouate.
Guus Hiddink was forced to make his first substitution earlier than expected when an injury to Igor Semshov saw him replaced by Dmitri Torbinsky.
The change seemed to give the visitors some added aggression and they soon started to play as a more cohesive unit.
Roman Pavluchenko looked to have been handed a golden chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time but was adjudged offside as he looked to pounce when Tal Ben-Haim dithered over a clearance.
Russia began the second period full of purpose and, although Barda and Tamir Cohen drilled efforts over the bar for Israel in the opening stages, a leveller looked on the cards.
Aouate did well to keep out Arshavin just before the hour mark, but shortly afterwards parity was restored.
Arshavin's pass on the edge of the area found Bilyaletdinov in some space and he was able to advance and fire a left-footed shot high into the net off the body of the advancing Aouate.
Dmitri Sychev had English hearts in their mouths in the last minute when he burst through but his sliding shot skimmed the outside of the post on its way wide.
At the other end, Golan found himself through in the second of four minutes of stoppage time and prodded past Gabulov from the edge of the area - much to the delight of the home crowd and the millions of watching England fans.
Israel's win means Croatia are definitely through to next summer's finals.
