Prudnikov inspires Russia's win in Minsk

Aleksandr Prudnikov scored twice as Russia took the points at Georgia's expense in a Group 4 match played at a neutral venue in Minsk, Belarus.

Immediate impact
Russia coach Boris Stukalov was missing several key players, with Vladimir Granat, Kirill Kombarov and Ivan Taranov suspended. Despite the absentees, however, his side were two goals up by half-time thanks to strikes from Kiril Nababkin and Prudnikov. The latter trebled Russia's advantage just after the restart before he was substituted; his replacement, Aleksandr Salugin, added a fourth.

Penultimate game
Russia seized the early initiative and were rewarded with the opening goal as Nababkin headed in a corner after seven minutes. Nine minutes before the break Prudnikov doubled the lead with a neat finish, then got his second and Russia's third after 52 minutes when he was first to the rebound after another forward surge by the 'home' team. Even the FC Spartak Moskva youngster's substitute, Salugin, scored with his first meaningful touch following Alan Kasaev's low cross from the right. Stukalov's side lie second in qualifying Group 4 and end their campaign away to leaders Spain on 9 September. Georgia have six points after seven matches.