Russia coach Leonid Slutsky has hailed his side's 7-0 victory over Liechtenstein as an "important result" in their bid for Euro 2016 qualification.
Artem Dzyuba scored four as the Euro 2008 semi-finalists ran riot in Vaduz and moved second after Sweden's 4-1 defeat at home to Group G winners Austria.
However, Slutsky has conceded that the sending-off of Daniel Kaufmann before half time proved instrumental in the outcome of the game.
He is quoted by UEFA.com as saying: "The key moment of this game was our second goal - a penalty after a red card for Liechtenstein.
"We knew they usually start well so our task was to nullify their threat in the opening exchanges. My players achieved this and even scored the opener.
"I know the score in the other game, it's an important result for us. If we win our last two games we will qualify."
Russia are now two points clear of Sweden with two matches remaining, while Montenegro are a further point back in fourth.
