In Sunday's match in Moscow, defender Vasily Berezutsky opened the score sheet after just eight minutes from close range. Guus Hiddink's side played out most of the rest of the match at 1-0 up, but seven minutes before full time, captain Andrei Arshavin made an impressive run down the left flank to secure Russia's victory with a second goal. Just three minutes later, Alexander Kerzhakov made the scoreline 3-0.
The victory gives Russia a total of 18 points from eight matches in the qualifying stage. After Sunday's win Russia briefly led Group E, until Croatia beat Estonia 2-0 to top the group.
Russia will meet England on Wednesday at Wembley in a crucial match that may see one of the sides face elimination. England thrashed Israel 3-0 on Sunday to take third place in Group E.