Russia have held on for a 1-0 victory against Sweden in Leonid Slutsky's first game in charge.

Slutsky is the first Russian to manage the national team since 2006 and a first-half strike from Artyom Dzyuba gave his side a vital win to begin his reign.

The Russians had the ball in the net after ten minutes but Roman Shirokov's goal was rightly called offside after a defence-splitting pass from Alan Dzagoev.

Oleg Shatov went close a few minutes later after some excellent work from Aleksandr Kokorin down the right wing before pulling back for Shatov but his tame effort was easily saved by Andreas Isaksson.

Sweden then had a goal of their own disallowed after Pontus Wernbloom was punished for a pull before Andreas Granqvist slid the ball home.

Slutsky's side finally took the lead after half an hour, Shirokov managed to pull the ball back to Dzyuba who almost missed the open goal, his strike rebounding in off the post.

The Swedes went close after half time as Emil Forsberg's deflected attempt tested Igor Akinfeev at his near post before the midfielder smashed the rebound wide.

Substitute Marcus Berg came close twice to pulling things level with minutes remaining, his strong first effort was saved well before his prod at goal was bravely stopped by the solid Akinfeev.

Despite late pressure from Sweden, it was the Russians who could have killed the game off with Kokorin finishing a counter attack with a volley that flew over the bar.

Then in the last seconds, Forsberg hit a low drive from just outside the box but Akinfeev was equal to the strike to preserve the three points.

The win means Russia close the gap to just a point behind Sweden and victory for Austria later tonight will guarantee their qualification to the European Championships.