Russia thrash Luxembourg to close in on 2014 FIFA World Cup berth

Russia moved closer to a berth in the 2014 World Cup with a confident 4-0 win over hosts Luxembourg in their European qualifying Group F here on Friday.

Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Alexander Samedov, Zenit St Petersburg halfback Viktor Faizukin, Spartak Moscow's Denis Glushakov and Zenit forward Alexander Kerzhakov scored one apiece to put Russia on 21 points with just one match remaining.

Second-placed Portugal, who are currently four points behind, take on Israel later on Friday.

"I think we played a quality match tonight," Russia's manager Fabio Capello said.

"We played speedy football showing a great desire to win. I believe the spectators enjoyed the game.

"We clinched the win thanks to our rapid play. We kept the hosts under constant pressure giving them no chance to play their style of football. I'm pleased both with the result and my team's performance."

The visitors dominated early and in the ninth minute Samedov lifted Russia 1-0 firing home from eight metres from Dmitry Kombarov's precise cross.

Russia continued testing the hosts defence and in the 39th minute Faizulin made it 2-0 firing under the crossbar from seven metres on Roman Shirokov's pass from the edge of the box.

Glushakov netted Russia's third in first-half injury time sending the ball into the net under Luxembourg 'keeper Jonathan Joubert from close range after the hosts mix-up in defence.

After the interval Russia kept up the pressure and comfortably held onto their advantage.

Kerzhakov rounded off the scoring with 17 minutes to go sending the ball home from close range also on Kombarov's precise cross from the left.

In their last group match on Tuesday Russia will face hosts Azerbaijan at Baku.