Russia overrun Liechtenstein to stay in World Cup race

Russia kept their quest for a spot in next year’s World Cup finals on track here on Saturday with a 3-0 win over European qualifying Group Four rivals Liechtenstein.

An early goal from CSKA Moscow defender Vasily Berezutsky and two converted penalties from Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko kept the hosts on target at the packed 22,000-seater Petrovsky stadium.

The result puts Russia second in their Group Four one point behind leaders Germany, who have 19 points. Finland, who won 2-1 at Azerbaijan on Saturday, sit third on 13 points.

Russia started in a lively style pinning the guests back from the kick-off and began testing a Liechtenstein defence conducted by overworked goalkeeper Peter Jehle.

Full back Berezutsky put Russia ahead after 17 minutes, escaping the offside trap to fire in a rebound after a corner from just inside the box.

Russia kept the visitors under constant pressure and Pavlyuchenko made it 2-0 with a spotkick after 40 minutes when defender Marco Ritzberger fouled Igor Denisov in his box.

Pavlyuchenko added the third in first-half injury time with another spotkick following a foul on Dynamo Moscow forward Alexander Kerzhakov.

Russia eased up after the break but remained in complete control, sitting comfortably on their advantage and stifling all of the guests’ unimpressive attacking efforts.

Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Vladimir Bustrov found the net with 15 minutes to go but it was disallowed as offside by Romanian referee Augustus Constantin.