Russia beat Luxemburg 4-1 in World Cup qualifier
Fabio Capello's team recovered from its surprise 1-0 defeat in Northern Ireland last month to move one point clear of Portugal, having both played seven games. Portugal was playing in Belfast later Friday.
Striker Alexander Kokorin scored a brace as Russia routed Luxembourg 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier to move provisionally to the top of Group F.
Fabio Capello's team recovered from its surprise 1-0 defeat in Northern Ireland last month to move one point clear of Portugal, having both played seven games. Portugal was playing in Belfast later Friday.
The Russians scored inside 20 seconds when Kokorin lobbed Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert after collecting a pass from Alexander Kerzhakov.
Kokorin doubled his team's lead in the 35th minute with a header into the bottom-left corner. Kerzhakov and Alexander Samedov scored Russia's other goals and Aurelien Joachim pulled one back for Luxembourg.
Russia will next face Israel at home before finishing its qualifying campaign at Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.